The Augustinian Mirror, March 2015 by USA Publications

Volume LXXXI, Number 2 April 2015

‘CRIMES’ OF PASSION Decipher the complexity of love and lust intertwined

ILONGGO INGENUITY

Discover the beauty of indigenous Filipino art forms

LOCAL BEAUTY CAMP

Know the men behind the country’s most beautiful women

{besides journalism}

what is your passion?

EDITORS’ NOTE

I believe that the kind of life that you have now is your choice. As for me, I chose to be a pubpip for four years. From being an apprentice writer to an editor-in-chief, my experiences in the USA Publications made me more than just an ordinary student. I took this opportunity as a gift from God and as way to challenge myself to write about His greatness. And, I think I did well. To ma’am Confesor and to my seniors who helped me when I was still a neophyte in this organization, thank you. To nong Ray who pushed me beyond my limits until becoming an editor-inchief, I am very grateful. To ma’am Cornel, thank you for the guidance that you’ve been giving me until now. To my batchmates in the Pub - Ayah, Christine, Jes, Wil, Lex, Ric, Dane, Hannah - thank you for the fun and the love. To Steph, Resty and the rest of my baby pubpips, may the days that we’ve shared together inspire you to give your best shot to maintain USA Pub’s legacy. To Seulgi, Roch and Edrylle, though you will no longer be part of the USA Pub anymore, may you continue helping the organization as much as you can. Tol, my coEIC, I know that we had a rocky ride during our term but I believe that we have done our best. To sir Jeff, thank you for serving as the moderator of the Pub and for the patience in editing our articles. To the Panorama Printing Press, nang Narle, nong Elmer, ma’am Terry, thank you for opening your doors to us. To the SIGMA CHI Fraternity and MU SIGMA PHI Sorority, my friends, thank you so much for understanding and believing in me. I guess inspiring people through writing is my passion. And, with the USA Pub, I found it and I have shared it.

Joel

www.usa-pub.blogspot.com/theaugustinianmirror

Passion is hard to explain as much as it is hard to contain. Passion is unstoppable in nature. It may not be a force that makes things easy but it is the push that compels you to continue despite the struggles. One could find his passion in simple things or it could be elaborate or odd. One thing is for sure - passion makes what you do extra special. In this issue, we gathered tales that we hope would inspire every student of the University to go the extra mile in whatever they’re doing. In this magazine are chronicles of ordinary people with extraordinary “works of the heart.” Indeed, the human being is a living vessel of greatness. I remembered that I entered this organization because I know how to write and I love writing. And, I’ve just realized that the same love for writing made me stay in the USA Publications. In the long run, it was our passion to serve you, our dear Augustinians, which made us turn the tide against the writer’s block, our hectic schedules and procrastination. Our mission to share our passion didn’t make writing itself easy but it was enough to push us towards journalistic excellence for the common good. I would like to thank everyone for continuously enthusing us and for making our works extra special. Expect that our pens will keep on dancing on paper as long as we have stories to tell to enlighten and inspire you, our dear readers.

Joyce The Augustinian Mirror [1]

MIRROR REFLECTIONS

reSPonSiVe • DeVeloPmental • reSearch-baSeD

VoLUME LXXXI, nUMbEr 2 | aprIL 2015

JOYCE GEM M. CAÑETE JOEL S. SASTRILLO EDITORS-IN-CHIEF STEPHANIE KAY L. URQUIOLA MANAGING EDITOR SEULGI J. HAN GIZELLE ANNE D. VILLA VICTORIA JADE V. ESTRADA ASSOCIATE EDITORS STEPHANIE KAY L. URQUIOLA GIZELLE ANNE D. VILLA LITERARY EDITORS EDRYLLE G. COFREROS WALLNEWS EDITOR DARYL S. SELERIO ART DIRECTOR JOHN ELMER J. BALAN PHOTOGRAPHY EDITOR

MARIA CLARISSE T. JARO ARTIST MARA ELAIZA A. FLORES MARY JOHSYEN E. PABALINAS SHALAYNE G. DEL PILAR PHOTOJOURNALISTS JESSA MADELEINE P. GANGE MARIE JULIENNE V. CABALLETE APPRENTICE WRITERS

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When you catch a glimpse of your potential, that’s When passion is born.

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Michelle Louise T. Tupaz

JEFFERSON B. MAGBANUA MODERATOR

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This time, the USA Publications decided to unify the articles for The Augustinian Mirror under the theme “passions” to come up with a magazine that would talk about “heart works” in different forms. We’d like to express our sincerest gratitude to the people who have made this issue possible. To our moderator, Mr. Jefferson B. Magbanua, thank you for suggesting the theme for this issue of the magazine, for reviewing our articles, and for guiding us in every step of the way since the first day of the first semester. A big thanks as well to our amazing models and our production and creative team for the wonderful front and back cover designs. A special thank you goes to Justine Win Cañete for creating some of the fabulous artworks in our magazine. We’re also grateful for our interviewees and sources for sharing their unique and touching stories. To the Panorama Printing Press, Inc., especially to Nang Narle, Nong Elmer and Ma’am Terry for their patience in printing this magazine. To our dear readers, thank you for the appreciation, constructive criticisms and continued support for the USA Publications. And, finally, to God Almighty, we’re thankful for the writing prowess and the persistence that you’ve given us to produce this issue.

JORDAN C. GALACHE CIRCULATION MANAGER

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LOCAL BEAUTY CAMP

Know the men behind the country’s most beautiful women

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ILONGGO INGENUITY

Discover the beauty of indigenous Filipino art forms

Mary Johsyen E. Pabalinas

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The cover photo shows a woman clothed in an elaborate and sophisticated dress that reflects her love for beauty, artistry, innovation and eccentricity. One could come out bursting in flames of passion yet find himself or herself unable to define or express it.

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Decipher the complexity of love and lust intertwined

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‘CRIMES’ OF PASSION

2/F Alumni Bldg. University of San Agustin Gen. Luna Street, Iloilo City, Phil. 5000

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The Augustinian Mirror is the ofﬁcial student magazine of the University of San Agustin. It is published once every semester by the USA Publications. Comments, contributions, and suggestions may be sent to the editors. No part of this magazine may be reproduced by any means without prior written permission and approval from the USA Publications and the authors of the articles.

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Volume lXXXI, Number 2 April 2015

This magazine is designed using Adobe Photoshop CS6 and Adobe InDesign CS6. Characters are set in Adamant, Avenir, Optima, Futura, Modum, Neou and Swift.

Joyce Gem M. Cañete

m a g a Z i n e l ay o u T d e S i g n

Panorama Printing, Inc. Jaro, Iloilo City, Philippines PrinTer

IN THIS ISSUE {8}

OPINION {4} The Countdown {5} The She Dragon and the Bigbear SPECIAL REPORT {6} Forbidden Fruits, the Sweetest RELIGION {8} Of Mercy and Compassion {10} The Molding Power of Prayer SCI-TECH {12} Lolo Cris Raking the Ages ARTS {14} Momo and the ‘Weird’ Stuff

Millions of devotees endured the rain and the congested atmosphere during Pope Francis’ visit in the country.

FASHION {16} Passion for Fashion CAMPUS {18} Peculiar Pharmacy Tandem {20} The Drive for a Great Future {24} Home Bakes: Cloudy with a Chance of Profit

{14} Momo’s artistic haven serves as an attraction to tourists who visit San Joaquin, Iloilo.

LIFESTYLE {26} EXOrdinaryanimalisTIC {28} The Bumps of Having a Baby Bump {30} Odd and Simple Things for a Collection {32} KF’s Quest for Crown and Country {34} The Perks of Being a Fangirl {36} Playing With Fire FOOD {38} Nang Palang’s Life of Pie {41} “I am Iloilo” REVIEW {43} Stories of Heroism and Lust

It was all fun and games until the pregnancy test conﬁrmed that it’s “positive.”

{28}

INFOGRAPHIC {44} Top Ten Phobias

EXPERIENCE “HEARTWORK” AT YOUR FINGERTIPS

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OPINION

THE COUNTDOWN

wo r ds by K E V I N J E R R O L C . E R E B A R E N a r t wo r k by m a r i a c l a r i S S e t. Ja r o a n D

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year from now, President Benigno Simeon “PNoy” C. Aquino III will be stepping down from his post and a new president will be elected. But the incumbent president and his actuations are more interesting to talk about than who’s going to be the next Philippine president (at least for now). When PNoy was sworn to office as the president of the Philippines, a lot of questions were raised. One of the significant questions for analysis then was this: “What made the Filipinos vote for him (PNoy)?” The lack of remarkable deeds and defining characteristics when he was still a senator gave a rather questioning outlook on what made him garner the people’s votes aside from the public hatred built against Gloria Arroyo’s administration. With PNoy elected as Philippine president, the nation entrusted the country’s future to him and expected him to perform his duties diligently and faithfully. But what became of the bachelor president’s administration was not to the people’s expectations. President Aquino opened his term by pointing

fingers and blaming past administrations for the current state of the country. This approach moved some Filipinos to join the bandwagon while others dismissed his complaints, claiming that he has not yet understood what his leadership roles are because he’s new to the post. The act can be excused as one can accept that a growing toddler fell for just starting to learn how to walk. However, it becomes inexcusable as years continue to pass and this routine worsens. Throwing blames and accusations around without accepting responsibility is unbecoming of a leader. All these amidst the scandals that his administration faced - the Manila hostage crisis involving Chinese tourists, the pork barrel scam and the Mamasapano “massacre” that left 44 members of the Philippine National Police (PNP) - Special Police Force (SAF) dead. A Daily Tribune article published on January 30, 2015 blamed President Aquino for being

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In the real sense of the word, leadership is actually being a servant to others.

[4] The AugusTiniAn Mirror

”

knowledgeable of the operation of the PNPSAF to apprehend high-profile terrorists and for withholding the decision to send a reinforcement group to fight against the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) coalition. Malacañang has denied the said accusation. Even if President Aquino is not the commander-in-chief of the PNP, logic would dictate that it would be impossible that the highest-ranking public official of the land isn’t aware of the date, time and location of an operation meant to capture high-profile global terrorists. But granting for the sake of argument that he was totally unaware of the said operation, the president should have been made aware for him to come up with strategic decisions when needed. The president is riding on the blame game again with some of the men below him acting as pawns this time. The aforesaid situations would make us think deeper about what leadership actually is and what it entails. Some individuals would automatically rule out that leadership is tantamount to positions. Others would associate leadership with ordering around people of lower status. There are those perfectionists who view it as a burden to behold

because of the mind-boggling demands of work and the public’s expectations. Yet those who truly understand leadership look at it as a responsibility - a means to lead people to do good and inspire them to become better. In this understanding, the leader becomes a model of virtue, hardwork and dedication who will unlock people’s potentials for them to grow. In the real sense of the word, leadership is actually being a servant to others. The term requires the capacity to mobilize people to serve them and the readiness to follow orders, too. It also demands accountability - to take the blame for shortcomings and the capability to be in solidarity with the people in difficult times. In retrospect, a leader needs to know that he only lives by the word “leader” if his actions inspire others to dream more, learn more and become more. A leader is best when people barely know that he exists yet his efforts achieve desired results. The term of President Aquino is about to end. Has he been the “servant-leader” that this country needs? He still has a year to prove his worth. Let us see what shall be written in history books in the near future then. Let the countdown begin. Volume 81, Number 2 | April 2015

THE SHE DRAGON AND THE BIGBEAR

wo rds by r e St y J o h n l . Pa l e t e a r t wo r k by m a r i a c l a r i S S e t. Ja r o

he Philippines is a predominantly Catholic country. Alongside with the dominance of Roman Catholicism in our land is the sense of spirituality of the Filipinos. Such disposition was evident during Pope Francis’ visit on January 2015. Out of their great admiration of the Pope’s affectionate nature towards the poor and the suffering, some religious Filipinos even called him the “People’s Pope.” But such a positive label seemed to have been overpowered by two negative labels tagged by two different personalities through the social media. In separate online posts, Marlene Aguilar, who was behind the pseudonym “She Dragon” and Ejay Yan whose pseudonym was Ejay “Bigbear,” called Pope Francis “demonyong naka-abito” (demon in white clothing) and “pa-

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A few negative labels against the Pope, the Church and the Catholics would not shake the Filipinos’ faith in God.

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www.usa-pub.blogspot.com/theaugustinianmirror

focus,” respectively. Aguilar is the sister of well-known folk musician Freddie Aguilar. She studies neurology in an American university but it seemed that too much confidence on her intellect took the better of her and pushed her to downgrade the highest Catholic Church leader. Aguilar lashed out at Pope Francis in a Facebook post, saying that the Pope is yet to resolve cases (child rape, child torture, child murder, genocide and other crimes against humanity) which were filed against him at the International Tribunal Court. She labelled the Pope “demonyong naka-abito,” the Roman Catholic Church “kampon ng dilim,” and the Catholic Filipinos “idiots and scumbags” for venerating the Pope. What’s worse was she challenged the Pope to have a UFC-style sparring match with her. While it is true that there are some fanatics of God and religion who worship even without knowing their purpose, Aguilar should have understood that the flock of people who went to see Pope Francis during his visit were just being one with the Roman Catholic Church leader in celebrating God’s grace. It was rather foolish of Aguilar to cross the line beyond decency because of mere hatred towards the Pope, the Church and the Catholic Filipinos. When something is unpleasant to you, you don’t need to react all the time. Being silent (or better yet, being tactful) could be a key approach in dealing with people and things that you don’t appreciate. Being judgmental and being too proud of oneself will never be useful for these will only lead to conflicts. On the other hand, Yan, a Filipino movie director of FILmO Media Productions, tagged

the Pope as “pa-focus.” This was so because Pope Francis emphasized during his visit that the Filipinos should focus on Jesus Christ and not him. The said director argued that if the Pope didn’t want to be the focus during his visit, he should have held masses via Skype instead of causing heavy traffic in the streets of Manila. Yan added that his payroll schedule was even affected negatively by the festive celebration because many offices were closed during the Papal visit. Although Yan apologized to the Pope and to the public for his disrespectful remarks, the damage has been done already. Just like Aguilar, Yan should have thought of the impact of his words before saying them. With all that they have said, the Catholic Filipinos have turned against them. It was a pity that both of them became subjects of ridicule because of their pride and tactlessness. A few negative labels against the Pope, the Church and the Catholics would not shake the Filipinos’ faith in God. Our passion towards events that would bolster our sense of spirituality has been embedded in our culture and history. In fact, it took just one Papal visit to bring together more than six million Filipinos who wanted to solidify their faith and love for God. And, this multitude of individuals are ready to go against anyone who would disrespect God and his people. The “She Dragon” and the “Bigbear” learned this the hard way. Individuals who think and act like the “She Dragon” and the “Bigbear” need to re-evaluate themselves. They have to believe that a Being higher than them exists and they must search for their real purpose in this world. The AugusTiniAn Mirror [5]

SPECIAL REPORT

adam and eve suCCumBing To The irresisTiBle TempTaTions of The “forBidden fruiT”

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ove. Ahhhh. Such a fickle word for such an interesting world. Contrary to popular opinion, love actually has no definite meanings. Mankind made up and developed many differing definitions of the word “love” that it is already too obscured to be clearly and accurately defined by man. Nowadays, anybody can actually make their own varied definitions on how they perceive love. Others define love as a pure and honest human emotion. Others call love as a mutual attraction. Some even consider love as a simple thought process. Though no matter what definition mankind may give, love is simply love, depending on a person’s perspective of it. Love is based on what your intentions may truly be. An entity so strong, it has the capability to mold and shape the world. Love can move mountains. Love can help in producing miracles. Love is a blessing to mankind but it is also a very corrosive poison because of its fickleness and unpredictability. It is an intoxicating elixir that can heal wounds and a sobering venom if abused. Time and again, people abused this notion of love. People got blinded by it.

nyMPhoMAniA Michaela (not her real name) is one of such individuals. But her case is a bit different from the norm of love and the game of passion. Most people are so consumed by love, making them irresponsible and blind to their decisions in life. People tend to be hounded by the emotion that is too obscure and difficult to understand. On the other hand, she is not simply blinded by love. Her entire life is shrouded and encased by this entity. Gripped and choked hard, love lords over her. A passion which is raw, physical and sensual in nature, sex is a luxury for some. Others treat it as sport. But in Michaela’s case, she needs sex at least eight to 10 times a day. With a sexual libido unfit for any person of any age, it is a big struggle to be enslaved by your own passion. It is trapped within the confines of her body for she is a nymphomaniac. Ever since she was 10, she admitted that she played “doctor” and house with her toys, coupling them together intimately. How a 10 year-old can know and understand the word coupling is highly disturbing and it speaks of the dangerous state that modern culture is in. Afterwards, she sought out to experiment more with her body, getting [6] The AugusTiniAn Mirror

more “adventurous” and daring with her bodily ministrations as the years go by. Losing her virginity at a tender age of 16, she became more sexually active by then. A “city girl” and a frequent party goer, she is usually seen flirting around bars in Smallville and getting involved in one night stands. Having slept with multiple men on numerous occasions prevented her from starting a stable relationship. How could she? With the Filipinos’ innate religiosity and her own deep faith in God, she is ashamed of admitting to any partner her condition. Michaela said that she really wanted to stop and control herself but she found that she actually can’t. It basically distracts her from her day to day living, getting sexually aroused by almost anything that can happen to trigger her condition. “It could have gotten worse,” she admitted. “If I never took courage to reveal my condition to my mom and without her pushing me to have therapy, I don’t know where my promiscuity would have led me,” Michaela confessed. Who can blame her? Nymphomania and Satyriasis may be a biological thing. These are abnormalities within a person’s constitution that mess normal processes of the body and cause irregularities and hypersexuality. Nobody actually knows the real reasons and defining factors why this happens. In fact, Nymphomania and Satyriasis are not medically accepted anymore because of the vagueness of the terms. But let us face the truth. Whether if it be accepted as a fact or not and whether it is an act intended or not, there is no denying how this condition of passion can lord over someone’s life.

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We are in love. It is as simple as that. I cannot really see that loving is actually a crime. So why the big fuss? It’s not like we killed somebody for this relationship.

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Volume 81, Number 2 | April 2015

incest In fact, it also did a great job of dictating the lives of Peter and Eunice (not their real names). Siblings by name, birth and blood, this couple’s love story didn’t exactly pan out as expected. As of this writing, Peter is 35 yearsold while Eunice is 29. Born within a poor farming community situated deep within Panay Island, life is understandably harsh for people living there. Peter was reared to continue the family business of tilling the soil while Eunice was bred to become a good school teacher. Both siblings were always quarrelling with each other for the simplest things like candies, food, chances and turns when playing games and vying for attention from their parents. It wasn’t simple, petty rivalry for the fighting was fierce and filled with undisguised animosity. Peter wanted to go to school so he was jealous of Eunice, while Eunice is envious of her brother’s freedom for she is being coddled and babied by their parents. This sparked the negativity between them. Eunice never knew when exactly they became cordial with each other but she admitted that things became better between the two of them when they got older and curiosity attracted the two with each other. What started out as friendly love pats and hugs became more sensual and highly sexualized when the hormones eventually set in. The relationship escalated from there that both siblings eloped far away from their parents and resided in an equally remote farming community. Currently, they have three seemingly normal kids - a daughter and two sons. “We are in love. It is as simple as that,” Peter said. “I cannot really see that loving is actually a crime. So why the big fuss? It’s not like we killed somebody for this relationship,” Eunice added. Incest, like Nymphomania, is also a passion-induced lifestyle. Nobody can actually clearly determine the main cause of this.

www.usa-pub.blogspot.com/theaugustinianmirror

Freud reasons out that incest happens because we have incestuous urges that need to be repressed. In contrast to Freud, Finnish sociologist Edward Westermarck argued in 1891 that people have evolved a biological mechanism to avoid incest. According to Westermarck, people who grew up together would find each other unattractive. But recent study results refute Westermarck’s statement and became more inclined to Freud. Incestuous passion can be determined psychologically. It happens because it happens to be so. Generally, we can say that passion lurks within us, slumbering and waiting though not desired entirely. Without warning, it will stir. It will open its humongous maws and howl. Venomous enticing whispers are heard amidst our ears and these beguile us. Lording over lesser individuals with great impunity and to our dismay, we obey. What can mere mortals do anyway? Passion is the foundation that paved the way to our greatest triumphs and success - the bliss and elation found in love, the clear and lucid thoughts of hatred, the ecstatic stupor of grief, the pain too unbearable to endure. For if man can live a life without passion, maybe the world would know some measure of peace. But then, everything would be hollow, muted and dead. After all, passion is what makes humans human and humane. Are crimes of passion actually morally wrong? Or is society merely polluting the true essence of passion, of what makes us human? Is it natural and normal for the world, the environment and the entire humanity or is it an aberration that should be abhorred and judged harshly and with great impunity? Nobody can actually say which one is true or correct. For love can differ and change based on a person’s perspective. I felt like an animal but animals don’t know sin. Do they? After all, forbidden fruits always taste the sweetest. And, animals live by instinct. Are we men or are we beasts? That is the question to be answered my friends.

The AugusTiniAn Mirror [7]

RELIGION

a Tale of spiriTual JourneY in The CapiTal

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Volume 81, Number 2 | April 2015

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Papa Francisco, mahal ng Pilipino!” The crowd cheered as they welcomed Pope Francis at the Quirino Grandstand last January 18, 2015. Over seven to eight million people gathered and witnessed one of the longest and largest masses in history.

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The Philippines is the foremost Catholic country in Asia. This in itself is a special gift of God, a special blessing. But it is also a vocation. Filipinos are called to be outstanding missionaries of the faith in Asia.

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www.usa-pub.blogspot.com/theaugustinianmirror

After 20 years, another Pope had made history not only in the Philippines, but also in the whole world. Fr. Jorge Mario Bergoglio, S.J., popularly known as Pope Francis, arrived in our country on January 15. Over 45 delegates from each of the different parishes, schools and organizations, including the University of San Agustin, participated in the said big event. Luneta was already packed with millions of citizens when we arrived the night before January 18. We, the delegates of the University, made our way inside. Fortunately, we had our flags that helped us in sticking close to our companions and kept us from getting lost. We could not stay in one place to rest so we ended up standing for almost eight hours, waiting for the gates to be opened. It was difficult for all of us. A few members of our delegation started to have problems in breathing and some felt dizzy. But we were lucky to have a few individuals who didn’t have second thoughts about helping us. Killing the time was a challenge. Eight hours of standing and trying not to fall asleep was not easy. In order for me to stay awake, I decided to have a small chat with the person next to me, Mrs. Mercy Ferrer. During our small talk, I discovered that she is the vice president of Mother Butlers Guild and a resident of the Legion of Mary. She and her group had been there for almost 10 hours. She is also one of the persons who aided us during the wait. I recalled one conversion I had with her. “If you would look around, you will see all walks of life. But we are all here waiting as equals,” she said in Tagalog. Ma’am Mercy tried to point out one of the powers of the Pope - to unite a nation. During the time we lingered, our faith was tested. We were all starting to feel tired and some of us almost fainted. It was 6 o’clock in the morning when they opened the gates and we had to push through along with a multitude of people. It was risky and suffocating but we continued until we were inside. It was a breath of fresh air when we had entered the premises of Rizal Park and positioned ourselves. I guess that was really the only time that we were given to rest and to take a nap. Then and now, the number of people would increase, giving us less space to lie down. Because of this, we would go back to our sitting position. It was almost 8 o’clock when it started to rain. We had to wear our raincoats and those who had none just like me had to be very resourceful. We had to find ourselves plastics that would be good enough to cover and protect us from the drizzle. We got drenched in rainwater for almost 20 hours.

There were various activities held before the mass started. We danced the Sinulog dance of Cebu’s Sinulog Festival while holding our own images of Sto. Niño and praying the Holy Rosary. There was a point where our adviser asked us if we would still continue to wait for the coming of Pope Francis because of our condition. Considering that we were freezing and soaked in rainwater, she was beginning to worry that we might get sick. I looked at my fellow delegates, afraid that all of them might agree with her. Personally, I didn’t want to leave the place. “What ifs” were running in my mind. I know that she meant well but looking around me and going back to the previous events that happened, one thought popped up: “Why go back now when we have already come this far?” It was a great relief for me when all of my colleagues decided to stay. Excitement filled the air when Pope Francis arrived. Everybody was screaming, cheering and trying to get a glimpse of the Pope. The mass started and when Pope Francis said his first words, I was delighted and I became more eager to listen. Everyone was expecting him to deliver the mass in Latin but he chose to speak in English. Without a doubt, Pope Francis is the “Pope of Quotes.” He made us Filipinos cry and laugh and he strengthened our devotion. According to Rappler. com, he did not only manage to gather a crowd of religious devotees but he also imparted important messages in his speeches and homilies. During the Holy Mass in the Grandstand, he said: “The Philippines is the foremost Catholic country in Asia. This in itself is a special gift of God, a special blessing. But it is also a vocation. Filipinos are called to be outstanding missionaries of the faith in Asia.” After the Holy Mass, it was announced that Pope Francis would be starting his caravan. I became more excited and thrilled. It was said that he would be passing the quadrant where we were standing. At that point, some of us rushed to the other side of the road and we readied ourselves to meet him. Unfortunately, only a few delegates from the University of San Agustin had the chance to see him up-close. There was a sudden change of route and he did not pass by our way. Nevertheless, it was a significant experience for me to attend the Holy Mass which was presided by the highest leader of the Church. It was a beautiful privilege that I would surely remember forever. We were soaking wet that day but none of us got sick. Indeed, it was raining blessings during the Papal Visit. “Maraming salamat sa malasakit, Pope Francis.” The Augustinian Mirror [9]

RELIGION

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t was Friday. I found myself holding a bamboo torch with a scented candle on fire. There were around 33 of us holding the same thing and we lined up to form a distinct shape. We babbled the same words from the beginning. There were acts of suffering. A man was punished and crucified. This He had done to save humanity. Under a shaky night sky, people with the same beliefs were gathered together at the USA Quadrangle, not to discuss things but simply to devote an hour of their day to praying. Kneeling down and uttering the same words, it was a “lived prayer,” a “living rosary.”

the Living RosARy Being a predominantly Roman Catholic nation, we Filipinos inculcated in ourselves the importance of faith in our life. Wherever you are, there will always be a thing that would remind you of where you belong, usually in the form of a crucifix or a rosary. Annually, the University of San Agustin (USA) Pax Romana, an internal organization of the Campus Ministry, organizes the “Living Rosary.” In this activity, people are used to represent each bead of the rosary where each one leads one prayer. “The aim of this activity is to bring the Augustinian community to a prayerful way of life,” Zalcy Anne Latumbo, president of the USA Pax Romana said. This practice had developed among the members of the organization and those who had attended the activity the value of prayer and devotion to God. Celebrating the feast of the Immaculate Conception, the organization gathered the Augustinian community in a different way of praying the rosary together. “The activity tells us to be aware of our own spiritual life. Together with the community, we can find and develop a form [10] The AugusTiniAn Mirror

of communication with Him,” Latumbo added. In an article on ourladyslivingrosary.com, the living rosary is a continuation of the rosary preached by Saint Dominic and announced by our Blessed Mother for centuries. Showing creativity, some people do the living rosary using balls abandoned from a jumping area. They color them and use them as beads for the rosary.

MoLding chRistiAns Aside from the living rosary, the USA Pax Romana initiates several activities, such as retreats and recollections to reinforce Christian renewal among the students of the University. The organization does not only mold its members to be better Christians but it also paves the way for their intellectual growth and professional well-being. According to Chandra Portal Octavio, an alumnus of the USA Pax Romana, the organization formed him into the person that he is today. The organization helped him grow in his Catholic faith and nurtured his desire to serve God through others. “It is a home where I can be myself without pretentions. My colleagues accepted me for who I Volume 81, Number 2 | April 2015

“

The activity tells us to be aware of our own spiritual life. Together with the community, we can find and develop a form of communication with Him.

”

am,” Octavio shared.

A Rich History Pax Romana began during the 1880’s when the Catholic action was becoming necessary in order to combat the evils of materialism and secularism which were prevalent in those days. Together with a number of Swiss and foreign students, Baron George de Montenaach called for an international assembly in Fribourg, Switzerland on June 21, 1921. There, the organization adopted its official motto, “Pax Christi Regno Christi” or “Peace of Christ in the Kingdom of Christ” where the name Pax Romana was derived. In 1921, the University of Santo Tomas became the first member of International Pax Romana in the Philippines. It was on December 17, 1977 when the University of San Agustin received a certificate of affiliation under the leadership of Rev. Fr. Gregorio Liquite, then dean of the Theology Department. It was only in 1989 when the USA Pax Romana became an independent religious organization under the USA Campus Ministry. Since then, the USA Pax Romana has been serving the Augustinian community by promoting love, hope and understanding of the Christian faith through its activities. It enjoyed the title of being the first recognized student organization in the University. “I hope that we could increase the number of our members as the years go by. Students must also be aware of their spiritual life and not only focus on their academics,” Latumbo said. The candle wax continued to melt as the final sorrowful mystery approached. Right above my head was the moon surrounded by other heavenly bodies. He was not alone. And like the moon, we were not alone, too. We were gathered together by our faith. We continued praying until we uttered the last word, “Amen.” www.usa-pub.blogspot.com/theaugustinianmirror

The Augustinian Mirror [11]

SCI-TECH

when a grandpa BeaTs YoungsTers in an online game

LOLO CRIS RAKING THE AGES wo r ds

a n d

p h oto

G i z e l l e

a n n e

V i l l a

Lolo Cris and the acclaim personnel

[12] The AugusTiniAn Mirror

Volume 81, Number 2 | April 2015

he world of online gaming is a mystery to me. As my eyes settled to the bluish light in Acclaim, I began to hasten my ascent towards the second floor. I was greeted by a vast area with screens glowing with varieties of games that I have never given my time to. My attention was caught easily by a man at unit 30 with headphones comfy on his head, back slightly slouched, and his stillness immediately told me that he was giving his full attention to the screen in front of him. The person at the counter must have noticed and he offered me assistance, to which I simply replied, “Is that him?” The knowing smile that came back to me managed to approve of this man’s uniqueness, of how he has proved himself as an immediate answer to my broad three-word question.

Meet Lolo Cris Tony Matulac, also known as “Lolo Cris,” is a pretty unique individual. You would think that only young boys (and men) are into online games, but who would’ve thought that they have gotten a 65 year-old hooked, too? “My username in DOTA 2 is Cris Montinola,” he introduced himself with fluidity in Hiligaynon, like he has done it many times already. “I’m 65 years old, turning 66 this June 2015.” Lolo Cris has been playing DOTA 2 for a little more than a year, having moved on from DOTA 1. He admits that it has been a long journey towards DOTA 2, with him playing other games before it. “Ah, I started playing since 2002,” he said after being asked about his gaming life, adding, “I have played Command and Conquer, World of Warcraft, the Frozen Throne, and many more.” Like other DOTA players out there, Lolo Cris has his own group of friends to give him back-up. He proudly says that his teammates are professionals: Businessmen, contractors, attorney and engineers at their 40s. Lolo Cris is a professional himself, having worked as a businessman. He is also a Commerce graduate of the University of San Agustin.

Real life ‘Imba’ Unlike the fictional world of DOTA, the real world doesn’t supply bottled-up liquid that could fully heal an individual in seconds. Lolo Cris is not immune to the illnesses brought about by reality. Most people would think that his hobby could be harming him more, but Lolo Cris thinks otherwise. “Back in 2012, I experienced my first heart attack. I was confined for 10 days, five of that in the ICU,” he recalled the frightful incident. “After two weeks, I went back to gaming but I consulted my doctor about it,” he confessed. Lolo Cris was given permission by his doctor to continue online gaming after he explained to www.usa-pub.blogspot.com/theaugustinianmirror

him that these games were wondrous at removing his stress. The doctor was fine with it because of how Lolo Cris use it as a medium of relaxation but he still advised the gamer to have regular physical exercises. Lolo Cris has been accustomed to getting up at 5:30 in the morning to go walking at either the Sports Complex or Fort San Pedro. “My diet consists of low fat, low sugar, low salt. They’re all low,” he shared with a smile.

“

At this age, I don’t have any priorities like education. Other seniors are into playing mahjong, cockfighting, getting drunk or singing at the karaoke booths. As for me, I’m into DOTA.

”

With his daily life schedule of 9 a.m. to 12 in the afternoon and 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. in front of the blinking screen and with only lunch and snacks to stop him from rubbing the mouse on its pad, it is no surprise that Lolo Cris is one of the computer shop’s patrons.

The game of life Most men these days are always heard complaining about how their parents are

forbidding them from playing their online games. For Lolo Cris, being a senior citizen has its benefits. His family and his doctor know about his chosen daily activity and they’re all accepting of it. “At this age, I don’t have any priorities like education. Other seniors are into playing mahjong, cockfighting, getting drunk or singing at the karaoke booths. As for me, I’m into DOTA,” Lolo Cris said while giving me a quick thumbs up. “It takes out my mental and physical stress,” he added. Lolo Cris is a good man. He says that these games are just for leisure. He has never used such games for gambling and the only ones he fights are the monsters. Who would harm such a good person, right? Lolo Cris admits that he has his own set of “trash talkers,” telling him that he is too old to play such games. “When they say that I am too old to play, I just tell them that the money that they’re using to play are not even theirs. I’m using mine, toto!” he said while laughing at the thought of the statement. Although teenagers keep appearing to pull him down, he says that he respects their needs to play games, too. He has no hatred for them and he has been avoiding picking fights with them, dodging the idea of stooping to their level. “I’m fine with them gaming as long as they don’t abuse it and as long as they prioritize their studies,” Lolo Cris quipped. Lolo Cris has played over 2600 games in DOTA 2 and is in level 183, battling side-byside with his chosen hero: The Sniper. Why the Sniper? After the interview, he introduced me to his character and said, “He also has white hair!” As for unit 30, his always-chosen pc, there’s no special or hidden meaning to it. He simply likes the wide, empty space at his right, the space for a 65 year-old gamer. The Augustinian Mirror [13]

The man who found life in the indigenous arts of maharlika

Momo ‘Weird’ Stuff and the

wo r ds Da ry l

a n d S .

p h otos

S e l e r i o

he bamboo fences soaked by the passing of time stood there - silent and open - and waiting for those who are brave enough to climb the stairway. With hands shaking in nervousness, I had second thoughts of going up. But my curiousity and drive for adventure pushed me to give it a try. I cowered a little when a squad of beings in human form and clothed in folk garments greeted me. When my senses went back, I became composed upon realizing that those were mere statues created and erected in a manner that would showcase the traditional way of living prior to the invasion of the foreign conquerors.

Uncertain of what lies ahead, my heart beat faster when I traced the rough and narrow pavement that lead to the house of the owner of the creations which I’ve seen. On my way to my destination, plants of varying heights and thickness guarded both sides of the alley. When I got to the top of what appeared to be a very steep mound of soil, my mind got clouded with this thought: “Who would live in such a place full of out-of-this-world ornaments?” I thought that any member of generation Z who was born in the digital age would ask the same question. But this was not a big deal to Danilo Dalisay, the man who found life in the indigenous arts of Maharlika.

The Passionate Advocate A native of Brgy. Lawigan, San Joaquin, Iloilo, Dalisay, whose nickname is “Momo,” manifested his strong interest in the arts since he was a young [14] The Augustinian Mirror

boy. Momo has an inclination towards gardening, visual arts and music. “If I have nothing to do, I stay here at my garden. This is my way to commune with Mother Earth. I also do sculptures and paintings. Because of my interest in music, I am now beginning to compose Ilonggo songs,” Momo said. But things do not always go well for Momo. He recalled that there were instances when the lack of money needed to craft his realistic statues would put a halt to his work. However, this does not sap Momo’s persistance towards his passion for the arts. “If I have no budget, then I just keep calm. Once I have acquired some [money], then that’s when I resume my work. Otherwise, I keep myself busy with gardening. I use the income I generate from other projects (like paintings) to do more sculptures,” Momo explained. Momo is an active member of Maharlika

Artists and Writers Federation for 12 years now and had served as its president last year. The said nationally-acclaimed group of cultural-minded individuals advocate the importance of the arts to help in the development of one’s culture, which is inherent among the people in a community. “Through Maharlika, we want the Filipinos to know and to appreciate the different forms of the indigenous arts of the Philippines. This is our advocacy. This Balay Kaliwat is nothing but a witness of our humble beginnings in forming this organization,” Momo said.

Of Support and Monetary Value For Momo, what makes his passion more valuable is knowing that his family and friends are happy with what he is doing. “My family is very supportive. They even made this place as a hang out haven. I also have lots of friends who visit here every week,” Momo shared. Volume 81, Number 2 | April 2015

ARTS

Other persons had learned to appreciate Momo’s works - students and professionals alike. “Mayor Eduardo Servidad of San Joaquin is true in his support to make this place a tourist spot for the visitors of the municipality,” Momo added. Despite the good reputation that he had earned through his passion, Momo believes that one should never think that his works should always have monetary value. “An artist has two sides. The first side is emissive of burning passion to do something with or without monetary value. The other one is his side that would make something that could yield him “bread and butter.” This means that he should work on something that can be sold. Eventually, he could use it to support his passion,” Momo explained.

just take a little of open-mindedness for the “weird” to be viewed as beautiful. “We should be open-minded to the indigenous arts produced by our local artists. I want those who enter this place to respect and appreciate these works. I want them to understand every detail that comprises this place, even without me storytelling one and another to them. I want them to value every artwork they see in the same way they should value the mere 20 pesos they pay for the entrance fee,” he added. Furthermore, Momo contends that those who grew in the era of modernization and

technological advancements should not totally drown themselves with foreign art forms. “I want to introduce the ingenuity of our local expressions and culture. I want to introduce the ingenuity of our country and of Maharlika for young Filipinos to appreciate them,” Momo said. Momo celebrates life through various indigenous art forms. When asked about his passion for the arts, Momo said, “Life is art and art is life. Art should serve the community and [should] not [be used] for fame. It should be lived in the same way the way that your passion should be your lifestyle.”

APPReciAting the ‘weiRd’ stuff To some, the works of individuals who are advocating for the indigenous arts of the country look rather weird. Talking to Momo who is active in the production and preservation of the “weirdlooking” indigenous arts, I did not let the chance to ask him the question that had probably boggled the minds of many slide off: “What can you say to those persons who find your works ‘weird’?” Momo quickly replied, “Doing ‘weird’ stuff is the dictate of my passion.” For artists like Momo, what may be “weird” stuff to some are fascinating. For them, it would www.usa-pub.blogspot.com/theaugustinianmirror

Danilo Dalisay

The AugusTiniAn Mirror [15]

FASHION

The galaCTiC invasion in The augusTinian runwaY

PASSION FOR FASHION wo r ds p h otos

Co U r t E sy

S e u lG i o F

h a n

c e a ,c P m t

a n D

c m a

hile the teacher draws the life cycle of Plasmodium malariae on the board, Lisa (not her real name) is also busy using a pencil in making outlines on a blank sheet of paper. It may seem like she is copying what’s on the board but no. She sweeps the eraser dust and lifts the paper up and comes up with the final outcome. “Ms. Lopez, what is that?” the teacher asked. “Umm, nothing Ma’am,” she said as she shoved the design in her bag.

College of engineering and arChiTeCTure After a week of planning, the goal was set. Wearable pieces and dramatic details for an eyecatching overall look. With this in mind, head designers Kinno Florentino, Noreen Ponesto and the rest of the crew started their galactic journey. Underneath those intricate accessories lies a simple base made of taffeta and duchess fabric sewn by the designers. Then it is given texture, design and form using materials found in hardware stores or simply just lying around in our homes. Some of them are rubber slices cut into pads as seen in their all-white galactic warrior entry. The pads give an illusion of a super suit as Iron Man would call it. For a sharp alien look as seen in the extra-terrestrial entry, wires, newsprint and beads were their staples. The wires provided the backbone for the rest of the design and nylon tubes were still used for the nails and sharp fins. Shower curtains were made into ragtop headdresses that opened just enough to show the model’s face. The alien-looking models, both male and female, also wore heels. “We believe that aliens don’t dress up according to their sexes so even males can wear wedges or heels,” Ponesto explained. Save the best for the last. As clichè as it may be, the crew’s finale was indeed their best and it was the hardest to achieve. The all-white constellation entry was literally lighted with battery-operated LED strips with the help of the electrical engineering students. Nylon tubes were attached individually for a feathery texture and allowed the light to pass through. The models were also heavily contoured to counter the beaming outfit. [16] The AugusTiniAn Mirror

After three weeks of cutting, sewing and tailoring, they reigned as the champions. In that moment, the struggle of having to go to class the next day after working all night or going after their teachers to be excused from their classes seemed worth it.

Volume 81, Number 2 | April 2015

College of Pharmacy and Medical Technology

“

Learn to balance your time and set your priorities right. Drop the expectations to avoid frustration.

”

What would we want to see if we were to visit the galaxy? This was the first question that head designers Jo Moses Beramo and Peter Delfin asked themselves. The answer was trend silhouette with a galactic touch. With just a week of preparation time, the crew had to transform plain leggings, jumpsuits and coats into literally out-of-this-world designs. They utilized more familiar materials like leather, wool and chiffon to make wearable and trendy outfits that even us non-aliens can relate to.

Not only did the designers sew the outfits themselves, the beadwork was also done with needles and threads and not with glue guns. The intricate details impressed the judges. Paper machè was used to provide texture, such as on the female galactic warrior where it gives an illusion of metal plates and shields on the warrior’s body. Then this was completed with a leather bottom, a trend from the 21st Century. Chains from accessory stores were used to add complexity and a modern galactic vibe. Plastic spoons which often break even before slicing off a bite-size chicken were painted and attached to a beige dress for a scaly goddess look. The same entry was topped off with spangles which are small sequin-like pieces that reflect various rays of light, giving it a radiant and elegant back design. They garnered the best galactic costume award in the faculty category that showcased a skirt and cape with black, red, orange, yellow and white gradients. Versatility was a strength in this crew. Jo Beramo confesses that some designers were also the make-up artists and some even trained their models to walk the runway. Finishing off the TGIF experience as first runner-up, Beramo shares a piece of advice to fellow student designers, “Learn to balance your time and set your priorities right. Drop the expectations to avoid frustration. Go with the flow and don’t expect too much so that you’ll be happy whatever the outcome may be.”

College of Management and Accountancy Who among you have watched the movie “Guardians of the Galaxy?” I know that this crew did. Step one for them was visualizing the outfits using futuristic movies. After which, each of them made their own sketches. The sketches were then combined and unified into a single design. The crew sets itself apart from others by making use of recycled materials (composing 80 percent of the outfits) more than textile. Rubber slices, native ropes and electric tubes were used to cover the tights and leotard that lie beneath and these were painted with silver, black and white for the male galactic warrior look. The female galactic warrior wore an outfit made with wires and a corset with soda can lids to make it rough. Mirrors, added as accessories, gave a hint of glitter as they reflect the lights from the stage. In the constellation entry, a mix of blue, pink and black were painted like a galaxy on the leggings and leotards that when coupled with LED lights made it look like we were www.usa-pub.blogspot.com/theaugustinianmirror

stargazing without looking up. The lights were also in different colors that blended with the paint. The hardwork paid off as they bagged the third place. By now, you can already know that there was no shortcut to their success. It was a bumpy road of hardwork, less sleep and battling this and that. But they survived all these and as head designer Angel Alison would put it, “Pursue your passion and showcase your talents but know your priorities and have time for work and studies.” Aren’t they lucky to have found what they are willing to fight for? That thing that keeps them awake when the rest of the world is fast asleep, that which pushes them to keep moving every time they are on the verge of giving up. Focusing on academics would probably have been an easier path to take but they took the other road and they proved to themselves that they are capable of doing more. The Augustinian Mirror [17]

CAMPUS

sTudenTs wiThin The sChool walls, Bosses in The Business world

PECULIAR

PHARMACY TANDEM wo r ds

p h otos

r o c h e l l e m a ry

lo u i S e

J o h Sy e n

e .

D o r o m a l

Pa b a l i n aS

lad in white uniforms and sticking together while in the campus, two Augustinian Pharmacy students have caught the attention of many other students and even teachers. They are distinct in the sense that you’d probably mistake them for your professor because of their age and grown-up looks. Such has been a cause of wonder and intrigue to those who have seen them together in the library, in the cafeteria and other pertinent parts of the school. But to Narciso Vila, Jr. and Rita Arlene Tejares, the so-called “Pharmacy tandem” of the University, the interest that other people have [18] The AugusTiniAn Mirror

for their peculiarity is dismissable. The duo has not imagined the vastness of the attention that they’d get. Both Vila and Tejares are accomplished

professionals and business persons already but their desire to continue learning in a school set-up has remained thorough.

the Meet-uP Both Vila and Tejares are on their third year in the Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy program of the University at the age of 49 and 50, respectively. They first met and became a tandem when they’ve worked together at the Aboitiz Group of Volume 81, Number 2 | April 2015

Companies. Vila became part of the said company in 2002 as operations supervisor for Aboitiz Air while Tejares joined Aboitiz four years earlier than Vila did and served as the marketing supervisor and customer service officer-in-charge. “After years of working for Aboitiz, we decided to resign from our rather good positions to venture into the franchising of The Generics Pharmacy here in Iloilo. Franchising was beginning to surge at that time,” Tejares shared. According to them, they were lucky enough to be part of the first batch of The Generics Pharmacy franchiseholders in Iloilo City. In the said business which was actually a collaboration, Tejares was the front for single proprietorship of the franchise to avoid conflicts. Tejares’ “silent” business partners include Vila, her sister, Armi Jane Golena, and her father, Nilfredo Navea. They’ve reached a total of six years before deciding to stop the renewal of franchising The Generics Pharmacy because of the bound prices of medicines set by Manila. Aside from the fact that their margin was rather small, they could not afford the expenses as well.

The Second and Third Courser With their love for their business, the tandem retold how they thought of enrolling in the Pharmacy program of the University in 2009. “Unfortunately, we had to settle loose ends and this led to the delay of our enrollment. We were finally able to enroll in 2011,” Tejares revealed. The BS Pharmacy program that they’re now in is Vila’s second course and Tejares’ third. Vila is a graduate of business administration while

Tejares finished a bachelor’s degree in commerce and accounting and has a master’s degree. Tejares’ father who is a cum laude alumnus of the University praises the duo and trusts that his alma mater will render them a quality education. Navea also shared that his daughter has always loved to study and learn new things since she was a little girl. Their former teacher in biopharmaceutics and pharmacokinetics, Melissa June Paderog, shared her experience on the first meeting with Vila and Tejares. “Upon entering the classroom on the first day, I was slightly unsure due to the age difference, with me being younger. Time passed by and I saw that they were good students. They participate in class discussions and they strive hard, especially in facilitating the reporting,” Paderog said. Paderog’s sentiments were seconded by the Pharmacy tandem’s former classmate, Krizzia Lyn Esculterro. Escultero shared that her first day with them as classmates was filled with surprise and confusion. Seeing the two among the group of 18 to 19 year-old students was a tad unusual for her. However, after getting to know the duo, all she had was praises for them. “Both do well in class, especially during discussions. They were helpful towards us, their classmates,” Escultero said.

Still Learning The head of the University’s Pharmacy Department, Remi Charlene Salvilla, has this to say about Vila and Tejares: “I admire their commitment to go back to school. They also serve as the manong and manang of their classmates.

They rarely miss classes.” The tandem considers everything that they do - their business and education - as their passion. In fact, it was their passion to learn more that pushed them to take up Pharmacy. Tejares said that “being able to mingle with and serve people is very fulfilling.” Both Vila and Tejares believe that they should not rely on their laurels. “Never be contented with what you can achieve today for tomorrow awaits you with a lot of challenges. So be prepared to be part of the team, not just a passive spectator. As learning is our passion, so is sharing what we’ve learned,” Tejares explained. For Vila, learning is a never-ending process. “Studying is not merely memorizing. It is understanding what you learn and applying it purposely,” he added. Although they have stopped schooling at this moment because of issues needed to be fixed, they plan to continue pursuing their Pharmacy degree in the next semester. The tandem has been facing many struggles just like everyone else. From selling The Generics medicines to demanding customers up to convincing doctors that their products are as equally effective as the branded ones, along with adjusting to the environment and life here in Iloilo, they have come a long way already. Attending to their business personally and sparing time for their academics have been tough calls to them as well. Yet the Pharmacy tandem had shown that their distinctiveness doesn’t just lie with their age but also with their firm resolve to put a balance to all the things that they love. This was how far their passions have brought them.

“

Studying is not merely memorizing. It is understanding what you learn and applying it purposely.

”

N a r c i s o V i l a , J r . a n d R i t a A r l e n e Te j a r e s

www.usa-pub.blogspot.com/theaugustinianmirror

The Augustinian Mirror [19]

CAMPUS

forming leaders of inTegriTY, serviCe and eXCellenCe

THE DRIVE FOR A GREAT FUTURE wo r ds p h otos

Co U r t E sy

F r e n n i e o F

G e r ry

m .

ta b a b a

r oXaS

Fo u n Dat i o n

ith my mother and father beside me, I walked towards the four-sided elevated platform, with honorable persons waiting for me to receive a gold medal. At that moment, I felt that it was just one of those medals that I’ve garnered for being on top of the batch. But when I joined the youth camp last October 29 hosted by the Gerry Roxas Foundation, I eventually knew that gold medal’s real worth.

the MAn behind the MedAL Being a contributor to an illustrious tradition of public service and leadership, the late Senator Gerardo “Gerry” A. Roxas, son of then Philippine President Manuel Roxas and Trinidad de Leon, stood out by being a examplar of integrity and firm commitment to public interest. He died leaving a legacy of incisive thought and challenge for the citizens, civil society and the government. In this light, a foundation was named after him. When Gerry Roxas died, one of the oldest foundations in the Philippines was established in 1958 and it was called the Roxas Educational Advancement Committee. The said foundation has been an educational trust that provides scholarships to the underprivileged but promising youth in Capiz. In 1967, the same foundation was renamed into the Roxas Educational and Welfare Committee, Inc. Finally, it was called the Gerry Roxas Foundation, Inc. (GRF) in 1982 to honor Gerry Roxas, its founder. Since then, the GRF has evolved from being an educational and youth leadership trust into a development foundation with regional, national and international programs for leadership development, justice, and peace and governance. It pioneered a nationwide program that recognizes the beginnings of individual excellence and leadership among young Filipinos in their respective communities. The recipients of the recognition (like me) were named the Gerry Roxas Leadership Awardees. With this platform, the GRF nurtures young leaders, advocates peace, [20] The AugusTiniAn Mirror

and enables partnerships - very similar to how Gerry Roxas himself served the country during his lifetime.

geARing foR deveLoPMent

believes in the thrust of the said foundation, which is “building a nation of leaders for change.” “It wasn’t part of my plan. I was just on an indefinite leave at that time from my current job. Then, I was invited to assist in an international conference for three months and I enjoyed the work. After that, I was absorbed in a new program. The rest is history. I’ve been working on this for 16 years now,” Villaruz said. Through her experiences, she helps solve the problems of the youth by empowering them

The GRF’s main purpose is to create opportunities for the underprivileged youth for it believes that the way to get what you want out of life is by helping others get what they want out of life. In fact, the GRF’s core values were inspired by the leadership of Gerry Roxas whose life exemplified love of country, excellence, dedication, action, responsiveness, entrepreneurship, and service orientation. Operating in more than 75 provinces nationwide, including Iloilo, the GRF provides expertise in various aspects of project development and in the management of education, leadership, justice, peace and health. The foundation taps the awardees and scholars of the Gerry Roxas Leadership Awardees (GRLA) and The Outstanding Young Men (TOYM) to become the consultants, resource persons and mentors for its development programs and projects. The GRF also retains a pool of local resource partners and experts nationwide who would serve as technical service providers in various aspects of development management.

eMPoweRing the young Annette Villaruz, the operations manager for education and leadership programs of the GRF, devoted her life to the organization and touched the lives of thousands of young leaders. She

Gerardo “Gerry” a. roxas

Volume 81, Number 2 | April 2015

As GRLA, what can you say about being part of the Foundation who has a great passion about the youth? “Dr. Jose Rizal once said, ‘The youth is the hope of the fatherland.’ After I joined the foundation, I have realized that we can be like what our national hero said. As a young leader and seeing my fellows starting to do things for the betterment of the future, I can say that we’re on the right starting point and we’re heading towards the track where youth can really be the hope of our land.” - T h e a Ly n S a l a y a , C a p i z

Iloilo awardees of the Gerry Roxas Foundation, Inc.

“

things that happened to me. It is an avenue for strangers to become a family and a school

We may be young but the future of our country definitely lies in our hands. We just need to have the ardor to make things right and live in accordance with the values of integrity, service and excellence.

”

to become leaders with integrity. “I believe that if this nation will be led by leaders with integrity, we will have a less corrupt nation. So this is my little contribution to make this nation a better place to live in,” Villaruz explained. Furthermore, honorable and popular persons were shaped through the aid of the GRF, particularly through its leadership arm, the GRLA. Among the GRF many successful products are Cardinal Tagle, Charo Santos-Concio, Dinky Soliman, Malou Mangahas, Anthony Pangilinan, Gary Granada, Sitti Navarro, Manuel Tordesillas, Arvin Amatorio, Joy Belmonte, Mario Derequito, Joey Lina, Dennis Marasigan and Herbert Hernandez. The statuses and the works of these personalities say a lot about what GRF has contributed to the Philippine society. When asked about how it feels to be part of the GRF, Villaruz has this to say: “It is an honor to be part of a family who has a genuine vision for the country. We continue to live up to the core values of Gerry Roxas - the values of integrity, service and excellence.” What’s Villaruz’ message to the youth? “Continue being ideal. With your idealism, your www.usa-pub.blogspot.com/theaugustinianmirror

“Being a part of the foundation that has a great passion for the youth is one of the best

dreams for a bright future will come true if you have an established set of core values,” she replied.

where the lessons being taught are retained forever in our hearts. It is a group that is focused on touching and changing the lives of others because as youth leaders, we must dance to the music of hope, a hope that there will be a better Philippines.” – D i a n e M a r i e D o l e tt e , A n t i q u e

“Being a part of this foundation taught me that for another sunrise that has been graced to us, we must learn to live our life with a purpose. To find reasons for our

A Youthful Drive We may be young but the future of our country definitely lies in our hands. We just need to have the ardor to make things right and live in accordance with the values of integrity, service and excellence. As for my experience in the Gerry Roxas Foundation two-day youth camp, I’ve learned that what matters more in life are two things: having a drive to build a great future and creating a positive change in the lives of others. Though my colleagues and I were from different municipalities, the sharing the same passion glued us. The experience that I had in our sessions fueled my desire to possess the qualities and character that Gerry Roxas had when he was one of the prime leaders of the country. These realizations dawned upon me and I thought that the medal that I’ve received from the GRF is not an ordinary one. It was not just an award but rather a recognition that I, too, can build a better tomorrow for myself and for others.

existence is the real essence of life. Young as we are, we can make changes may it be big or small. As long as we keep on embracing these changes for the betterment of ourselves and of our lives, we’ll always be on the right track.” - K a y M e n d o z a , Il o i l o

“The foundation does an enormous and outstanding job in strengthening the ideals and principles of those young leaders who need a guiding hand to remind them of what kind of future they would want to have. Young as we may be, we are and will always be counted as an integral part of the entire population so we must do our best so that our voices will be heard by those who must be awakened. Being part of a foundation that does all of these is a great honor.” – L a ly n D o r o j a , Akl a n

The Augustinian Mirror [21]

N I T P E ACC H C E TH

PERSPECTIV

NG E G N E L L A H ES

m. caĂąete Joyce Gem words by J. balan ohn elmer photo by J yce Gem m. ItInG by Jo dIGItaL Ed

caĂąete

Being more than just a student is both a privilege and a responsibility. As pubpips, we are called to serve the Augustinian community through our pens and lenses. This school year, the USA Publications extends its functions. From simply producing write-ups for publication, we also spearheaded and facilitated Universitywide activities that require the presence of watch dogs and truth bearers. Alongside with our commitment to produce responsive, developmental and research-based articles is our consistent involvement in school events that benefit the common good. Knowing that all these are no easy tasks, we take every bit of our passion as the coal to our long drive towards journalistic excellence. We have become more than mere students because we took not only the privilege and responsibility, but also the challenge to be one.

CAMPUS

when College proJeCTs are Turned inTo aCTual Businesses

HOME BAKES: CLOUDY WITH

A CHANCE OF PROFIT wo r ds

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ntrepreneurs start businesses for many reasons. A passion for something is often the driving force behind many businesses. Whether it is technology, travel, food or fashion, your business could stem from something you already know and love.

how it stARted It was in the warmth and comfort of their childhood kitchens when Loi Gamboa, an alumnus of the University of San Agustin and owner of Home Bakes, learned to savor life’s simplest pleasures and created her own recipe for living. But Loi wasn’t really into baking until she was 10 years old. “[It] wasn’t really my favorite thing to do, yet I eventually found myself buried in baking and the entire art of producing desserts,” she shared. Loi started selling baked goodies to her friends and relatives without the intention of turning it into a real business. “I only realized that I had to go back to baking and do it seriously when I finished my commerce degree,” she remarked.

cReAting the Right ReciPe Innovation means implementing new ideas,

[24] The AugusTiniAn Mirror

creating dynamic products or improving the existing services of a business. Loi practices this by tweaking recipes into her own liking. “I add and subtract recipe ratios and do adjustments until it becomes my own recipe,” she explained. Loi also emphasized the importance of creation when it comes to products. “You just don’t innovate—you also have to create. You have to do something that others do not have.” Apparently, Loi’s business background became of useful help in managing her way around the business. “I never realized that the projects I made when I was a marketing major will be used in actual business life,” she admitted. “I created my own logo and tagline and selected my own brand color and every element needed to complete the branding process,” Loi shared. Aside from developing strategies to set the business apart from its competitors and doing

Loi Gamboa, owner of home Bakes

other marketing-related activities, Loi was also able to integrate some of her other passions like photography and writing into her business. “I love writing. I was a frustrated writer back then. I just realized that I can use it now that this business is existing,” she revealed.

when the cookie cRuMbLes Running a business is not just about selling your products and earning profit. Being an amateur businessperson with no manpower and resources

Volume 81, Number 2 | April 2015

to support the business, Loi was faced with several difficulties and one of them was when her target market started to gradually grow in number. “I felt that I needed my family’s helping hands already. The number of orders are growing and I limit myself to just a number of baked pastries a day,” she narrated. Nevertheless, Loi was still able to overcome those difficulties with the help of her family and relatives. “Because of [them], I pushed through with my plans to make difficulties seem easier,” she shared.

Home-baking with Love When asked what are the benefits of having a business that involves doing something that you love, Loi said that it is all about having a stress-free life. “When you do something that you enjoy, you tend to forget about the difficulties of the job,” she remarked. “In my case, when orders reach the maximum number, I don’t even have the time to complain how much work I will exert and how many sleepless nights I will bump into because the thought of baking numerous orders excite me initially more than anything else. Stress wouldn’t eat me out because I love what I’m doing and I’m passionate about my work. I never feel tired when I am enjoying what I do,” Loi revealed. When asked what would be her message to www.usa-pub.blogspot.com/theaugustinianmirror

those people who are trying their passions into businesses, Loi narrowed it down to four things. “First, trust God in all that you do. Second, be simple in lifestyle. After I get my income, I don’t spend it on myself, I invest it on my business. I sacrifice my wants in order for this little business to grow and I don’t feel any regrets at all,” she shared. Loi also noted the need to be persevering and patient since it is not all the time that the sales increase. For her, the most important thing is that you don’t give up. “Lastly, go on and enjoy your passion. If you are sincere and passionate with your work, your business will really prosper and succeed. Because if you are passionate about your work, you will do all means for it to prevail,” she concluded.

Desserts for Everyone Home Bakes started with only four products, namely, Fudge Nut Brownies, Rocky Road Brownies, Cappuccino Bars and Butterscotch Bars. From these sprung the 21 other products that are now on their menu list. Their bestsellers include Apple Bites, Blueberry Bites, Caramel Bliss Cupcakes, and the newest addition to their list, Mint Brownies. Turning your passion into a business not only allows you to be profitable while doing something you love; it sets you up for lasting success.

“

Stress wouldn’t eat me out because I love what I’m doing and I’m passionate about my work. I never feel tired when I am enjoying what I do.

”

The Augustinian Mirror [25]

LIFESTYLE

The wild side of peT loving

EXOrDINArY ANImAlISTIC wo r ds

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snake crawling under your bed, a tarantula on your desk, a scorpion inside your table’s drawer and a monitor lizard in the bathroom. How terrifying such a scenario would be to those who aren’t used to seeing these “exotic” animals in their homes. But for Mechor “Omi” Draper, a Bachelor of Science in Biology student of the University, having these abovementioned kinds of animals as pets is a hobby and a lifestyle as well. Mechor considers it usual to see these exotic animals as he has some them as pets. This is not a surprise because Mechor is a member of the Exotic Pets of the Ilonggo Community (EPIC) and the Hiligaynon Exotic Animal Lovers (HEAL).

the cuRiosity-dRiven PAssion Mechor revealed that he had this special interest in observing animals and the curiosity to find out how nature works when he was still a kid. As a result, his parents would normally bring him to zoos, animal sanctuaries and pet shops. But it was just when he was 16 years-old when he started collecting exotic animals. Because of his fascination for his rather “unusual” pets, he got hooked up to watching the Discovery Channel and he started researching about certain animals which interest him. He grew up pursuing his hobby of collecting exotic animals and this also pushed him to take up a degree in Biology. For Mechor, having exotic pets is his “own way of studying life.” Aside from being a Biology student and a member of organizations that preserve and protect the wild life, Mechor is also an environmentalist, a nature-lover and a part-time field researcher. He aims to become a good herpetologist someday.

PAinfuL wAy of exPRessing gRAtitude While some people would think that taking care of exotic animals is all about sunshine and butterflies, Mechor’s fearful experiences are stories that would make them think otherwise. “I’ve been bitten by a number of snakes, tail-whipped by an iguana, got my hand chomped by a monitor lizard, stung by a scorpion (which gave me an hour long of massive pain and headache), suffered weeks of skin irritation caused by the urticating bristles of a tarantula, got my fingers nipped by a sugar glider, and got my room ravaged by a raven,” Mechor detailed out. Despite the literally painful experiences that he had, Mechor never doubted about taking good care of his exotic pets. He understands them and their own special ways of living and he adapts with them as a consequence. In fact, Mechor

[26] The AugusTiniAn Mirror

Mechor Draper

Volume 81, Number 2 | April 2015

thinks of the scars which his pets caused him to have as signs of gratitude. “These scars serve as medals, my awards. I think it’s just their way of thanking me,” he said while laughing his heart out.

Provisions for an Exotic Passion

“

These scars serve as medals, my awards. I think it’s just their way of thanking me.

”

www.usa-pub.blogspot.com/theaugustinianmirror

Collecting wild or “exotic” animals may pose serious legal dangers to those who do not subscribe to statutory provisions. Republic Act No. 9147 or the “Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act” provides guidelines to those who want to be part of wildlife conservation and protection. In part, the law speaks of “wildlife collector’s permit,” which pertains to a permit to take or collect from the wild certain species and quantities of wildlife for commercial purposes. Furthermore, Section 7 of the said law stipulates, “That in the collection of wildlife, appropriate and acceptable wildlife collection techniques with least or no detrimental effects to the existing wildlife populations and their habitats” must be used. “As of now, the government is still processing my permit. Being a member of EPIC and HEAL as legally-recognized organizations in conserving and protecting wildlife is already a privilege and an advantage in taking care of exotic animals. I don’t find anything illegal in owning or collecting exotic animals as long as you are responsible

enough in taking good care of them. It involves a great sense of responsibility,” Mechor explained.

Understanding the Wild Legal requirements were of a lesser hassle to Mechor compared to his parents’ initial resistance towards his hobby. There were cases that they quarreled over the matter. “My parents find it threatening for me to keep snakes because they would always emphasize that snakes are venomous and hence, dangerous. So I tried to educate them little by little about snakes - that they are friendly and that they only need proper understanding and training. But it took time before my parents got my point,” Mechor shared. But Mechor handled all the negativities quite well. He maintained his drive and focus for his hobby of collecting exotic animals. The initial lack of understanding from people at home triggered him to meet people with the same interest. As a positive outcome, he learned to value his pets and his hobby more. Together with other exotic animal lovers, Mechor realized the noble goals of his special interest, which include “to help correct any misinformation about exotic animals and to aid others in understanding further the true nature of some of our planet’s most precious inhabitants.”

The Augustinian Mirror [27]

LIFESTYLE

when Teenage romanCe Takes The wrong Turn

THE BUMPS OF HAVING A BABY BUMP wo r ds a r t wo r k

G i z e l l e

m a r i a

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eeing a positive sign on that damp stick is like hearing a gun fire when you’re still stuck between Barbie dolls and college papers. It tells you to get up and run towards the many thoughts in your head. It kicks on your throat and your oncesteady heart beats. It provides you with choices that have side-effects, choices that could leave either scars or stars. Pregnancy among teens is usually unexpected. It is a terrifying experience for most and it demands a tough battle between the girl herself, her baby, and the people who pick on her like a plate full of vegetables. These stories twist and turn in several ways, but one can say that all of them are never easy.

when Life kicks you fRoM the inside Marielle (not her real name), 19, was a college girl who tried hard to balance her time for her studies, her family, and her friends. She appeared shy, but still let out a few words to keep the conversation going. She tried to be more open about herself, walked across the corridors like how any other school girl does. And, of course, like any other school girl, she dreamt about love. “All I can say is that he was a real gentleman and we had a good relationship,” Marielle stated upon being interviewed about her former boyfriend. Their romance bloomed with chemistry and his care for her made her love him. A few months later, Marielle was brought to the hospital due to a serious medical condition. It was at that time that the doctor noticed a baby-bump. They had her blood tested and confirmed the unexpected pregnancy. “I was five months pregnant and I didn’t know it,” she said. It may seem like the people who are nearest to her would be the most shocked of all, [28] The AugusTiniAn Mirror

Volume 81, Number 2 | April 2015

Stick Around for Statistics In 2014, the Philippine Statistical Authority showed that every hour, 24 babies are delivered by teenage mothers. According to the Provincial Population Office in Iloilo, the teenage pregnancy rate among 14 to 19 year-old girls has risen from 8.7 percent in 2012 to 9.7 percent in 2013. This meant that in every 100 delivered babies, 10 of them are from teenage girls. In the case of Iloilo, there was a total of 2351 cases of teenage pregnancies in 2014. This is 302 more than last year’s estimation done by the City Population Office. As stated by the World Health Organization, many health problems are particularly associated with negative outcomes of pregnancy during adolescence. These include anemia, malaria, Human Immuno-Deficiency Virus (HIV) and other sexually transmitted infections, postpartum hemorrhage, and mental disorders, such as depression. Stillbirths and death in the first week of life are 50 percent higher among babies born to mothers younger than 20 years. Deaths during the first month of life are 50 to 100 percent more frequent if the mother is an adolescent. Between an adult mother and an adolescent mother, the younger one has the higher risk. Young women, young men and parents are supposed to know the stakes when risking teenage pregnancy. The alarming rates of young motherhood shouldn’t be so hard to not ignore. After all, the issue is much bigger than the ninemonth-old bump itself.

With Great Enlargement Comes Great Responsibility Why does teenage pregnancy happen? Is it really because of poverty? Is it because of parents who don’t have the minutes to spare a little time for a talk? Is it because of peer pressure, standards or a yearning for acceptance? It is an alarming phenomenon, nonetheless. Young motherhood may be the cause of a girl’s loss of education. Because of this occurrence, juvenile mothers are forced to drop out of school to either www.usa-pub.blogspot.com/theaugustinianmirror

hide the bump or to find a job in order to support the baby. Most often they don’t get the care they need due to embarrassment. Teenage pregnancy has been crawling through our country for many years but its progress demands attention. When faced with such a big responsibility, it is recommended that the girl seeks advice from responsible adults, such as her parents and that she will be more mindful of her health and her baby’s as well.

The ‘Mistake’ as a Blessing In 2013, Marielle gave birth to a baby boy via an emergency C-section. This was done to save her life and her baby’s. The father visited them a couple of times but faded away soon. Marielle

“

Be strong and always take responsibility. Running away from the consequences of your actions is never an option.

”

didn’t get mad at him for she respected his honesty. He wasn’t ready to be a father. Now, the romantic feelings she felt for him are gone but a flower that continues to bloom for their remaining friendship lies in her heart. “Be strong and always take responsibility. Running away from the consequences of your actions is never an option. Making another mistake is not the right solution to a mistake. Life is so precious to be taken for granted. You are blessed to carry and give life and be thankful of that,” Marielle advised to all the young women who are going through the same obstacle. “Don’t involve or take away an innocent life because of your own wrong doing. God is there for you. Trust Him for He knows what is good for you. It may not be clear for you to see now but soon enough in a perfect time, He will clear all the dark clouds,” she added. Marielle’s baby boy is now a jolly toddler. He tries to read even if he can’t pronounce the words correctly yet. He’s into music and his tiny hands would always reach for a musical instrument. And, he learns quickly from his mom who loves him so much.

s o u r c e : P h i l i p p i n e I n st i t u t e f o r D e v e l o p m e n t S t u d i e s ( 2 0 1 4 )

but that wasn’t the case. For Marielle, the news was electrifying, enough to numb the body, enough to make her heart rate rise like sky scrapers. It was a new chapter for her. This complicated pregnancy meant a pause in her studies. She dealt with the rumors bravely. She fought off the negativities of gossips and kept telling herself that it shouldn’t affect her because they didn’t know the real story. She found strength in her family, friends, and the father of her baby as she battled her medical condition and the judgmental looks of people at the same time.

The Augustinian Mirror [29]

LIFESTYLE

an eXTraordinarY affeCTion for CloThes’ Tag and Journals

ODD AND SIMPLE THINGS FOR A COLLECTION wo r ds p h otos

by by

m a r i e m a ry

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Pa b a l i n aS

ooking around the busy streets with people in a hurry, she paused to take a breather from all the shopping she did. Though tired and uneasy, her feet started to drag her to an unfamiliar yet comforting place. The bells echoed throughout the store like some kind of an ancient call and in just one glance, a particular item caught her attention. Even though she did not have any intention on buying anything, she can’t let this one go. She shook the item, paid for it, and left the store instantly. Just like a kid that had been handed by Santa’s gift, her eyes sparkled as she ripped the bag open, smiled and nodded approvingly. “Yes dear, you will be a great addition to my babies.” Have you ever seen something that makes you go: “Oh that’s beautiful, I want to see that every day, and therefore I will buy and collect it!”? If yes, then there is probably a collector within you. Back then, people often collect postal stamps from different countries, foreign money or even those expensive Marvel or DC comics. But have you seen people collecting clothes’ tags and journals?

tAgs of ARt Fatima, known as Timmy to her family and friends, collects a very humble yet sophisticated piece. Most people would not even probably think clothes’ tag is a potential collection. “I started collecting clothes’ tags since I was in high school. Every time I acquire new clothes, I make sure that the tags are well-kept,” she shared. Fatima realized that she loves to look at the typography of the tag with some being intricate and others simple yet cool. Amazed at how these typographies were made, Timmy enjoys collecting tags but as a student, she faces a dilemma that affects her hobby of collecting. She’s still a student therefore she can’t always buy clothes. [30] The AugusTiniAn Mirror

“As much as I want to collect more tags, it’s not like I have the money for clothes all the time. But I try to save a portion of my allowance so that I can buy clothes and keep the tag with me.” During her free time, Timmy is fond of creating crafts related to arts, according to her, this inclination to arts and crafts greatly influenced her to start collecting these artsy and cool tags. Timmy said, “Collecting clothes tags is far from collecting designer clothes, shoes or dresses. But what makes this very special to me is that, just by looking at them, I gain inspiration. Thus, intensifying my creativity,“ adding, “It may just be a piece of paper to others but for me, these tags are my inspiration.”

to wRite oR not to wRite Nina, on the other hand, is an avid journal collector. She started getting involved with collecting when she was still in elementary. But at that time, she would rather call it “paper hoarding.” “You see, back then, I didn’t have the luxury to buy books yet, so I hoard papers instead,” Nina shared. “When I was in third year high school, that Volume 81, Number 2 | April 2015

was the time when I discovered Book Sale. I used to collect teen magazines such as W.I.T.C.H and K-Zone,” she shared. It would seem that everything was starting to look good for Nina, but little did she know something is bound to happen, which will eventually change her entire collection. “Typhoon Frank came. We never knew that our house will be affected by its wrath. Waters invaded our home and destroyed all my collections. I had to start from scratch,” Nina recounted. From teen magazines, Nina entered the world of sophistication when she started collecting journals. It all started because of the cute cover designs that caught her attention. “My girlfriend influenced me greatly. She would buy me exquisite and artsy journals. The funny thing about my journals is that I only use the first five pages,” she revealed. Nina also mentioned that she would buy a journal that she really wants - no matter what. But her problem is that some of her favorite journals are not even found in Iloilo, especially the moleskin The Hobbit journal which is only found at Fully Booked. To Nina, her journals mean much more than just being a material for writing. With her journals around, her desire to write grew even more. With it is a vision of freedom and inspiration. “You know how people have security blankets? Well, mine are my journals, I don’t leave www.usa-pub.blogspot.com/theaugustinianmirror

home without one and I panic if I don’t have it, especially if my ideas are so intense,” Nina shared. “Journals give me joy, majority of them contain blank pages and I prefer that because I feel constricted if lines are present. The flow of idea is overwhelming, that is why journals are appealing and have sentimental value to me,” she added. Before ending an interview with Nina, she gave us a little piece of advice: “Buy in your own capacity. Save up for it. If the urge in buying the item is great, pause and weigh things first. Ask for opinions and always remember that it must be within your reach.” Timmy and Nina show us that anyone can become a collector regardless how bizarre it may be. Their passion in collecting the things that can be considered as wallflowers such as the clothes’ tags and journals is somewhat admirable. In their case, such collections - no matter how simple and humble they may be - give them inspiration and symbolize their freedom. Collecting brings an unexplainable joy to a person and eventually, it becomes a part of his identity. As long as you have passion for it, you will be willing to continue what you have started, just like Timmy and Nina.

“

But what makes this very special to me is that, just by looking at them, I gain inspiration. Thus, intensifying my creativity. It may just be a piece of paper to others but for me, these tags are my inspiration.

”

The AugusTiniAn Mirror [31]

LIFESTYLE

women’s pageanT world dominaTed BY men

KF’S QUEST FOR CROWN AND COUNTRY wo r ds p h otos

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Co U r t E sy

a n G e lo

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Ja D e

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eing a pageant crazy country, the Philippines would normally celebrate in a festive manner the victory of every Filipino delegate in an international beauty pageant. The names like Precious Lara Quigaman, Bea Rose Santiago, Karla Paula Henry, Jamie Herrell and Mary Jean Lastimosa became the talk-of-the-town for a while. But these ladies didn’t just have pure guts when they decided to participate in their respective pageants; they had a local beauty camp behind them. Local beauty camps have been around for more than two decades now and one of the biggest, oldest and most successful training camps is Kagandahang Flores (KF). Led by De La Salle University alumnus and chemical engineer Rodin Gilbert “Rodgil” Flores, the group is responsible for producing two Misses International (Quigaman and Santiago), two Misses Earth (Cebuana beauties Henry and Herrell) and lately, a Miss Universe Top 10 finalist (Lastimosa).

rodgil Flores (left) teaches the pageant aspirant in green how to pose like a beauty queen.

fAscinAtion to PAssion Born to a father who served as mayor of Pateros and a mother who was a teacher, Rodgil Flores didn’t imagine the impact that he’d create as a beauty queen maker. In an interview with The Augustinian Mirror, Rodgil said that his fascination for pageants started during the Martial Law period when all that were shown on national television were the good and the beautiful. “I was seven years-old when the Philippines hosted Miss Universe 1974 and it sparked my interest for pageants,” Rodgil said. But Rodgil was already working in a big company as a chemical engineer when the [32] The AugusTiniAn Mirror

opportunity came for him to get involved in a pageant. “It was 1995. I was already working when my former classmate asked for help in training his contestant in a barangay pageant. The girl won the barangay contest and participated and landed on a top spot in the city level,” Rodgil revealed. Since his first few years in the local pageant scene, Rodgil had to balance work or day shifts and his passion for pageants. This led Rodgil to decide to leave his job for his love for beauty pageants. Initially, his mother was against the idea. “But my mom got used to it (referring to the beauty pageant trainings he held in their house) eventually and let

me do my thing,” Rodgil said.

the dRiLL Rodgil, who runs an events company, leads a team of modern-day Pygmalions such as cousin Gio Flores, a makeup artist; catwalk mentor George Garrido; newsman Jay Patao, who’s in charge of “quick-thinking exercises”; Bicolano pageant trainer Jerome Balute; hairstylist John Cliff Dimaala and Jan Kevin Geli. They’re bound by the passion to see the girls morph “to become their best” even after their respective pageants are over. Rodgil considers their training approach “holistic” as KF girls are taught how to do the Volume 81, Number 2 | April 2015

“

Some people might think that involving in pageants is a career. For me, it’s not. It’s a passion.

”

pasarela (beauty queen walk), how to apply make-up, how to fix their hair, how to answer pageant questions, and even how to select their outfits. Training is done at KF’s spacious camp in Scout Borromeo Street, Quezon City. The space is provided for free by the team’s supporters. Back then, KF was simply called Rodgil’s Girls. Ever since they started, KF doesn’t charge for the management of its girls’ training. Sometimes, Rodgil would end up spending his own money to provide girls from the provinces board and lodging while they’re training in Manila. Generous friends and former protégés donate money occasionally. “Some people might think that involving in pageants is a career. For me, it’s not. It’s a passion,” Rodgil quipped. Team KF has become so famous and successful that it no longer seeks out girls to train under them. The girls, sometimes through their parents, managers and supporters consisting of local politicians from governors to mayors, now go to them. Some train as early as six months before the pageant’s first screening.

Rodgil Flores (center) with his two protégés - Miss International 2013 Bea Rose Santiago (left) and Miss International 2005 Precious Lara Quigaman (right)

George Garrido (second from left) assists Rodgil Flores (right) in helping a beauty pageant aspirant with her posture.

Winning Formula

said.

Rodgil told The Augustinian Mirror that a beauty pageant candidate must possess four D’s to win - desire, determination, discipline and destiny. “The girl must have the desire to win for this will lead her to the second D, determination. I call the girls whom I train as ‘beauty athletes’ for they conform to certain beauty regimen, they keep fit, and train to come up with the best performance on stage. This requires them to have discipline. The last winning factor is destiny; if it’s for you, it’s really for you. But I believe that we can make our destinies better by doing good to others,” Rodgil

When asked who among his trainees best embodied KF’s “winning formula,” he answered, “In recent memory, Mary Jean Lastimosa.” Rodgil and KF’s success is not just a result of how they motivate their girls to acquire the four D’s but it is also a product of their genuine passion for beauty pageants. “Passion is the fire that keeps you going in doing what your heart desires,” Rodgil told The Augustinian Mirror. With its motto “For Crown and Country,” KF is on fire to conquer another international pageant title and bring pride to the Philippines once again.

No-no Rodgil has a hard time saying no to beauty pageant wannabes. Unless the girls are short (below 5’5”), they’re still welcomed at KF even if they’re perennial losers. “When KF has already established a good reputation, there came a time that a Binibining Pilipinas aspirant (who was rejected a few times in the past) asked help from me. I didn’t want to say ‘no’ and I just thought that if this girl is styled properly, she’ll be accepted as a candidate. And to the surprise of many, she bagged the first runnerup honors,” Rodgil shared. By the end of their training, many girls end up surprising not only themselves, but also people within and outside KF with their transformation. Some of these ducks eventually turn into certified swans. www.usa-pub.blogspot.com/theaugustinianmirror

Gold’s Gym fitness coach Bench Ortiz (right) assists Bb. Pilipinas 2015 contestants Anja Peter (in blue), Leizel Ramos (in yellow green) and Princess Camu (in red) during their core training.

The Augustinian Mirror [33]

LIFESTYLE

a girl goes an eXTra mile for her mosT-admired BoY Band

THE PERKS OF BEING

A FANGIRL wo r ds

ph otos

S h a l ay n e

a i m e e G .

D e l

a n D r e a P i l a r

a n D

G a J e c za r i n a

G u i ua n

Maria Czarina Lauryn â&#x20AC;&#x153;Chzaiâ&#x20AC;? Guiuan with her life-size one Direction standees

n a sea of screaming fans in the crowded concert grounds, a teenage girl stands, lost among the mob and the high-decibel shrieks, waiting for her idols to come out on stage. She has been waiting for this opportunity for so long, and the night has finally come for when she would see them live in concert.

[34] The AugusTiniAn Mirror

Volume 81, Number 2 | April 2015

FANGIRLS REPRESENT Two years ago, 13-year-old Maria Czarina Lauryn “Chzai” Guiuan pledged to become a fulltime fan of the popular English-Irish boyband One Direction, citing their famous song More Than This as what fueled her desire to become a certified fangirl. Fast track to two years later and she’s still a fan who supports the lads of One Direction in every way that she can. Late in October last year, a One Direction-themed party for her 15th birthday was featured on Rated K, a locally popular television show aired on Sundays. “My aunt Leilani contacted the show through Twitter and Facebook. When they offered to feature my party, I was nervous. I thought that people might bash me. I was really feeling mixed emotions and I was just speechless,” she said. A 9th grader at Sto. Tomas de Villanueva Parochial School in Pasig City, Chzai likes to spend her time with her friends who are also fans of the 1D lads. She spends time managing the 20,000-member group One Direction Philippines Amazing Directioners as Assistant Admin together with her aunt, group creator and admin Leilani Guban-Mayes, who contacted the show’s staff to feature her niece’s birthday party in one of their episodes.

theme color for my party was red and black. My mom put up a lot of balloons, we used catering, and three of my Directioner friends hosted the program. There were a lot of 1D merchandise and even the food was 1D-themed! All in all it was a lot of fun,” she shared. The party was held at a function hall, with One Direction-themed everything at almost every corner. The controversial life-sized standees of the band, which garnered a lot of fan speculation about its cost and time-related issues were present at the party.

“

Chzai turned fifteen on October 21st, 2014, but the party was held 10 days earlier. The party wasn’t a surprise for her by the local TV show as most people thought. She says that her parents, who are very supportive of her fangirling, paid almost P80,000 for the party. “The party wasn’t really a surprise for me because I was aware of it being organized. So, the www.usa-pub.blogspot.com/theaugustinianmirror

RATED K FAVORITE

My mom put up a lot of balloons, we used catering, and three of my Directioner friends hosted the program. There were a lot of 1D merchandise and even the food was 1D-themed!

CELEBRATION NATION

ON BASHERS

were criticized as expensive and unnecessary. Some fans even called the party “fetus” or “carrot” on Twitter and Facebook fan groups. These terms are considered insults for anyone in the 1D Fandom as it implies that you are new, unimportant, and inexperienced. “My reaction to the bashers was like, okay, because I did expect that some people will bash me. I just manage them by saying my thoughts about the way they bashed me. They should know that they shouldn’t judge a person they don’t personally know.”

”

The show’s episode garnered a lot of attention from Directioners around the country, earning a few haters and bashers along the way. The life-size standees of the band, which cost almost P10,000 and were purchased by Chzai’s aunt in the UK,

The show has recently approached Chzai once again at the grand opening of the famed 1D World Store in Manila in December of last year. “That was the third time they featured me on their show. The staff told us to sing the song Night Changes, then we went inside 1D World and they told me to act inside the store. Then they told me that they’re going to interview me at the concert,” she shared. As of this writing, Chzai is still touring around the country to oversee the country-wide Best Party Ever events. Best Party Ever – the brainchild of Chzai’s aunt, Mrs. Leilani Mayes is a country-wide event of the One Direction Philippines Amazing Directioners for their members in the provinces. The parties are for a good cause since the proceeds will go towards holding the same event for Filipino Directioners in Tacloban, all for free. Chzai recently visited Iloilo City to oversee the same event held by 1D Iloilo PH last February 28, 2015 at the Sarabia Manor Hotel. She also went to One Direction’s first day On The Road Again Tour concert in Manila on March 21, 2015 with General Admission tickets. The Augustinian Mirror [35]

FOOD

fresh viands and happY viBes from grown-up Tagalog Cooks

PLAYING WITH

Celia Francisco and pedro Francisco

wo r ds

p h otos

St e P h a n i e by

m a r a

K ay

e l a i za

l . a .

FIRE

u r Q u i o l a F lo r e S

orking away from home is an option that most people prefer. The hassle of waking up just in time to beat the early morning rush, trying to pry yourself from the sweet comfort of your bed knowing that the time it takes you to get to school or work is longer than the time it will take you to get ready — it’s a burden that most of us would want to get rid of.

Some willingly take on the challenge of going to work every day; others even love that. Yet, there are some whose workplace aren’t too far from home simply because it is at home.

PRofit fRoM PAssion Bahay ni Lola (a name coined by the students) is a carinderia located near the Jalandoni gate of the University and is popular among students for [36] The AugusTiniAn Mirror

its affordable and delicious food. Some of their best-sellers are estofado, pork steak, and pork sinigang. Yet what makes them different from all the other food establishments surrounding the University is the fact that they don’t look like one! With tables and chairs set up in the garage at the home of Tita Lorna Francisco Faicol and her husband, this simple set-up has worked for them since they opened the business last June 2007.

“I noticed that a lot of students are queuing to be seated to eat in nearby carinderias even if they only have short breaks before their next class. I saw this as an opportunity and decided to set up a small carinderia and asked my parents to come over and help us,” Tita Lorna said when asked how their business venture started. Cooking up seven to eight different meals a day for five days a week is a lot of work. Tita Lorna, Volume 81, Number 2 | April 2015

however, guarantees that all their food is cooked fresh every day. It’s no wonder because by 1 p.m., most of their food are sold out already.

From Passion to Profession Most of the food are cooked by Tita Lorna’s parents, whom the regular customers fondly call only as Lolo and Lola. Lolo’s real name is Pedro Francisco, 75 years old, and is a native of Marilao, Bulacan while Lola is Celia Francisco, 76 years old, and is from Pasig City. Lola is usually manning the table when you first enter their home and Lolo gives out soup and a warm smile to those seated. Most people aren’t aware of the fact that most of the food are cooked by Lolo himself with some assistance by Lola. “Lolo really loves cooking every day; I think that some people never grow tired when they do it with love,” Tita Lorna said with a proud smile. Whoever said that only women belong in the kitchen clearly doesn’t have Lolo’s skills. You can tell from the smiles Lolo and Lola give out that they are not at all tired from the cooking that they do— a smile they’ve apparently been sharing for 45 years (that’s how long they’ve been married). “As students who don’t always have long breaks, it’s nice to have a go-to place when you want to eat fast but still have some money left in your wallet. It doesn’t hurt that Lolo and Lola always give off that happy vibe to everyone,” Gale, a third-year student and a regular customer, said.

Trying to hold a conversation with Lolo is certainly entertaining as his memory is still as sharp as ever. Names and faces don’t go unnoticed by him as he also calls some of the students who are frequent customers by name.

Fire for Cooking With their menus derived purely from a Tagalog taste, this food establishment has worked its way into being a favorite spot for students and the working class alike. “We wanted to avoid a ‘me too’ culture. We wanted our carinderia to be different,” Tita Lorna remarked. Different they were! What makes students come back day after day may be Bahay ni Lola’s simplicity. As a matter of fact, starting a business from your garage has been the start of the line for several famous companies, namely, Amazon, Apple, Google, Harley Davidson, and even Disney. Some of the most successful people today chose a business that they loved and work that they were passionate about. If it doesn’t succeed, so what? Loving what you do and doing what you love is a blessing in itself. This just goes to show that it’s not where you start but where you end up that matters. Lolo, Lola and Tita Lorna prove that their love for cooking is their fire and that the match that has lit them is their passion for doing it. Bahay ni Lola keeps that fire going every day, from 7 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

“

We wanted to avoid a ‘me too’ culture. We wanted our carinderia to be different.

”

www.usa-pub.blogspot.com/theaugustinianmirror

The Augustinian Mirror [37]

FOOD

The savorY filling of home-made pasTries

NANG PALANGâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S

LIFE OF

wo r ds m a r a

a n d

Pie

p h otos

e l a i za

a .

F lo r e S

s I made my way through the screen doors by gently releasing my palm on its rough surface, a mouth-watering smell greeted my nostrils. My pupils contracted, gradually focusing on a tall wooden cabinet where a fresh batch of heavenly goodness was stacked, waiting to be warm enough for munching.

[38] The AugusTiniAn Mirror

Volume 81, Number 2 | April 2015

Pre-heat the Oven Along the road of Trapiche, Oton, a mini drive-through of homemade goodies is packed with people (from tourists to construction workers) lining up eagerly for warm boxes of buko pies. Not only known for its flavorful taste, this humble store is also known for its 1.5 meter giant buko pie. Way back in 2007, different towns showcased their products in SM City Iloilo wherein Oton’s buko pie was the biggest that was displayed. Through that event, tourists and different government agencies had seen and tasted the product. This led to the promotion of Nang Palang’s buko pie, not just throughout the country, but also across the globe. “Today, Filipinos, especially overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), give out buko pies as their ‘pasalubong’ to their friends abroad,” Oton Mayor Vicente B. Flores Jr. shared in an interview.

Preparing the Crust With a nickname that lives up to her baking, Rizalina, most commonly known as “Palang,” continues to share her thick golden plates of buko pie to hungry stomachs since 1972. Given by her mother, Palang is short for “palangga” (loved one), a name everybody in the family calls her. Rizalina’s passion for baking was passed on to her daughter and her daughter continued sharing the family’s recipe, the flavors she grew up with. Until today, their love for pastry is savored in each bite of her famous Nang Palang’s buko pie. Lola Palang started out making cakes and pastries for family occasions. Little by little, consignees came running to her to sell her home-made buko pie. In 2000, a little store was built in front of their house and it was called “Nang Palang’s.” It was managed by Elena Tingson, the heir of the buko pie business. “When I was young, I was helping her out so I learned it also. Her recipe was from an ordinary recipe book and she modified it a bit,” Elena revealed in her native tongue while giggling on her seat.

www.usa-pub.blogspot.com/theaugustinianmirror

The place remained as it was before, standing beside the road with a rectangular screened window. Despite that small structure, foodies across the country flock in the area just to taste their famous pie.

Mixing the Filling When asked of the secret ingredient, she just responded with a sweet smile. For her, the key to unlocking the tricky palates of Ilonggos is through tweaking simple knobs on their basic elements. “The main ingredient, the buko, is always fresh from the tree,” Elena stated. On a daily basis, 100 coconuts are picked from San Joaquin, Antique or Miag-ao and are sent to Oton. The delivery truck would normally arrive in Oton before lunchtime. Before they are turned into pies, the white parts of the buko are scraped off from the shell using a spoon. Each of the main ingredients is handcrafted - from the buko down to the crust. With the crust and the buko filling ready, it’s time to pop them in the oven. After 10 minutes, 32 plates of picture-perfect buko pies are pulled out of a large oven. Three hundred boxes gallop their way out of the kitchen every day to be sold to pie cravers inside and outside the Philippine boundaries.

Bake ‘Til Golden With popularity and excellence clasped in their hardworking hands, the owners of this small business would want to reach greater heights as they continue to satisfy the tastebuds of people around the world. Committed to maintain the quality and affordability of their products, Nang Palang’s takes small steps in reaching out to other locations. “We’re planning to branch out in Bacolod and other places. The hard part is the supply of coconut, which we foresee asa big problem,” Elena shared. For the mean time, Nang Palang’s kiosks are located in selected malls in Iloilo City.

The Augustinian Mirror [39]

FOOD

“

Palang is short for “palangga” (loved one), a name everybody in the family calls her. Rizalina’s passion for baking was passed on to her daughter and her daughter continued sharing the family’s recipe, the ﬂavors she grew up with.

” seRved wARM For years of going back to that exact spot to grab some buko pies, I can say that the quality of Nang Palang’s products has not wavered. As I got my tiny hands into a box of pure goodness, I grabbed a slice, shoved some into my mouth, and slowly savored the creaminess and freshness of the filling. When I got to the end, the crunchy and salty crust was like the cherry on top. Having the perfect consistency, the smooth custard and the sweet and thick chewy strips of buko were fused together to form a bed of

[40] The AugusTiniAn Mirror

Lola rizalina, the owner of nang palang’s

confection. The blanket of pastry was not too thin. It was just right for the amount of filling in the center. The crust, with its golden brown appearance, was shaped like a crown, having alternating ridges surrounding the plate. Each component complements the other, giving a balanced burst of flavor and texture that suits anyone’s palate. Aside from the classic buko pie, Nang Palang’s has other flavors to choose from. If you are into pandan, there’s buko pandan pie. If you’re looking for a tangy flavor, try their pineapple pie. For those who love the milk and eggs combo, I

truly recommend their egg pie. They also sell other pastries like cassava cake, macaroons, chicken empanada, bibingka, and flavored cakes. Native delicacies like coconut balls are also available. Ready to embark on my journey, I got my backpack and camera. I waited impatiently while riding on a jeepney, with head over heels for home. Suddenly, a familiar smell tickled my nose. There I sat with a box of warm buko pie on my lap, excited to gobble them up. Who wouldn’t be hurrying back home with that thing in their hands?

Volume 81, Number 2 | April 2015

tasting iloilo’s flavors one plate at a time

wo r ds p h otos

by by

J oyc e M a r a

G e m

M .

E l a i za

C a ñ e t e A .

F lo r e s

ith bistros spreading like virulent acne, digging in the pocket for cash becomes a practice that many of us are guilty of. The competition among restaurants and gastronomic places pushed me to find out which ones are worthy of my barkada’s time and my student allowance. While scratching my head in the midst of the heavy traffic, my attention was caught by a seemingly tiny restaurant nestled next to the La Fiesta Hotel along M.H Del Pilar Street. www.usa-pub.blogspot.com/theaugustinianmirror

The Augustinian Mirror [41]

FOOD

“ Cafe Iloilo could be underestimated easily because of its size. But seeing the warm smiles that greeted me during my Kasadyahan night, I knew that I had to take out my “satisfaction ruler” and start doing the right measurement. The said cafe is accessible but it becomes very busy during lunchtime as people and vehicles race to and fro the ceiling-to-floor glass facade. The ambiance of the same place becomes entirely better at night, with a white-grey-black motif accented by wooden fixtures and ceiling panels. The room has a cozy atmosphere and is illuminated by soft tangerines. A mix of party music and acoustic tracks go unnoticed (though I wish they’d go for a house/coffee music and acoustic playlist). But most of all, the mural, which features iconic Ilonggo structures, pulls you in like a whirlpool. It seems like the owners found a way to entertain the guests with an Oh-I-Know-That-Thing pop quiz. As soon as I was able to adjust to the cafe’s vibe, two girls in head buns approached me with the menu list, which ranged from appetizers to main courses, garden salads, desserts, and drinks. They also offer pastries and coffee products to those who go for sweets. The prices of their products range from P80 to P300 on average. When I asked about their must-trys or bestsellers, one of the waitresses gave me a list, which included the following: Boneless Tilapia, Pinatayong Lechon Manok, Chicken Relyeno and Grilled US Rib Eye for the main course; Adobo Rice to Match the Lechon Manok; and Fried Ibos Mangga and Pichi-Pichi Moderno for sweets. I took some time studying their menu list and I noticed that all, if not majority of the ingredients, can be found in Iloilo - salted egg, atchara, chorizo, ginamos, among others. No wonder why they named the restaurant Cafe Iloilo. After 15 minutes of photo-taking (there was no free wifi to entertain us), the waiters walked towards us with a trail of steam behind them. Placed before us were the Boneless Tilapia, Pinatayong Lechon Manok and Adobo Rice. The Lechon Manok, known for its beer marinade, was one of the most attractive roasted chickens I have seen in my life. The skin is a golden brown coat mottled by oven fire. Upon slicing through, the juices oozed out and they formed into an oily puddle on the banana leaf placed on the wooden [42] The AugusTiniAn Mirror

plate. A single bite will tell you that the meat was perfectly cooked but still tender; and that the chicken wasn’t swimming in diluted Knorr cubes or brine a while ago, but in an alcoholic blend. The sweet barbecue-like sauce definitely compliments its aftertaste. The Adobo Rice is another story. No matter how the waiter told me that it goes well with the Lechon Manok, I think it could stand by its own. By that, I mean that this fried rice in atsuete oil mixed with fresh tomato, salted eggs, peppercorns and chicken slices is a viand itself. It may be tempting to match it with lechon manok but to me they’re nothing but two divas stealing each other’s limelight. Had I known better about the packaging of their Adobo Rice, I would have opted for a less flavorful rice to appreciate the viand at hand. Then again, the Boneless Tilapia was such a joy to eat. It does not only allow you to experiment with four kinds of sauce but it is equally amusing in terms of presentation and quality of fish meat. The meal is basically pieces of dory and tilapia meat dipped in a flour mix then fried, juicy and with a tender texture. With it are four sauces, each with a different tang. The quezo de bola and salted egg aioli sauce is literally salted egg pureed with quezo de bola minus the salt that you expect it should have. The tomato-cilantro salsa is a fresh and light choice. The sweet chilli sauce gives you a slight kick. The honey-hoisin sauce are for people who are fond of sweet-savory blend. Dory with sweet chilli, Tilapia with honey-hoisin, then Dory with quezo de bola and salted egg - it was an endless combination! After spending several minutes on the main course, the waitress was back with our Pichi-Pichi Moderno. Topped with cheese gratings, the dessert is a cross between kutsinta and pandan crème. I had to stop asking myself random questions about what I’ve eaten because I burped. And once again, I had to dig in my pockets for some money - a practice I’ve been guilty of every time I’d face something pleasing to the tastebuds. If you wonder how much I paid, I’d like to tell you that it cost me less than P1000, inclusive of the 10% service charge and the 12% value-added tax. And, by the way, did I tell you that I brought three friends with me?

Cafe Iloilo could be underestimated easily because of its size. But seeing the warm smiles that greeted me during my Kasadyahan night, I knew that I had to take out my “satisfaction ruler” and start doing the right measurement.

”

Volume 81, Number 2 | April 2015

REVIEW

sTepping BeYond ComforT Zones

STORIES OF HEROISM AND LUST wo r ds

p h otos

Co U r t E sy

o F

K r i St i n

2 0 t h

J oS e F F

c e n t u ry

r .

FoX

G aG a J e n a

a n D

u n i V e r Sa l

St u D i oS

hat better way to welcome the year 2015 than heading to the movie theaters? Yes, there are probably better ways but watching movies is always a good way to spend free time. As 2015 passes by, new releases that help start the year off await audiences all over the country. Some of the new movies to begin the year were great; though there isn’t a year where bad movies aren’t released. Finding movies that relate to this issue’s theme wasn’t easy but these movies seemed to relate well enough. Here’s just a few of new releases that you definitely will not (or actually will) regret watching.

kingsMAn: the secRet seRvice When a Kingsman agent under codename “Lancelot” gets killed during a mission to rescue a kidnapped professor, Gary “Eggsy” Unwin (Taron Egerton) is recruited by Kingsman Agent Harry Hart [also known as Galahad] (Colin Firth), Eggsy’s late father former comrade, for the vacant position. Eggsy accepts and heads to the Kingsman HQ for training. He competes with other candidates in a series of tests and trainings to be the new Lancelot. Meanwhile, many influential personalities go missing and Kingsman suspects a link between the disappearances and billionaire Richmond Valentine (Samuel L. Jackson) who visited the said personalities before their disappearances. They also suspect something is going on when Valentine gives away free SIM promising “free calls [and] free internet for everyone forever” to the entire world. Filled with action-packed fight sequences that’ll leave you at the edge of your seat, Kingsman: The Secret Service manages to be both suspenseful and fun-filled, and does justice to its source material, The Secret Service by Mark Millar. The plot gets complex as it moves along and there are many thrills even long before the climax that you’ll www.usa-pub.blogspot.com/theaugustinianmirror

be waiting to see much more exciting the climax is. Another good thing about this movie is that it doesn’t have the clichés of a usual spy movie. It also features talented cast members whose acting will add to the enjoyment. Released somewhere between late January to early February, it’s still kind of early for it to receive accolades, though it has received a few, namely, four Empire Award nominations for Best Thriller, Best Female Newcomer for Sophie Cookson as Roxy, one of the Kingsman trainees who befriends Eggsy, Best Male Newcomer for Taron Egerton as Eggsy and Best British Film. The film got awards are the latter two, though it looks like it has a good chance at various other awards. But, as we all know, awards aren’t an exact measure of quality, so awards or no awards, it’s still a film worth watching. But if you have an aversion to blood and violence, you might not enjoy this movie because it has a lot of that stuff.

fifty shAdes of gRey Anastasia “Ana” Steele (Dakota Johnson) meets Christian Grey (Jamie Dornan) during an interview for her school paper when her roommate is too sick to do. Shortly afterwards, Christian slowly develops an interest for Ana. After Ana got drunk, Christian shows up at the bar where she is and brings her to his hotel room. Afterwards, they begin seeing each other and Christian gives Ana a contract explaining the details of their BDSM relationship. It is noteworthy that Fifty Shades of Grey was strictly prohibited to minors. Considering that it’s popular for all the wrong reasons, it seems appropriate to discredit this movie because it’s so bad that it makes the Twilight saga look like a masterpiece (but then again, the source material was originally a Twilight fanfic so that should already give you an idea about the quality). The plot is very bland and the leads are about as appealing as a piece of string. Sure, they have some qualities

that make them human but there isn’t much in them that stands out (though they do give Christian some backstory but it doesn’t seem to contribute to the plot). Christian’s treatment towards Ana is more like abuse rather than a usual BDSM relationship (not to mention how obsessive he is that he won’t allow Ana to go anywhere without his permission) and that would be sad if Ana gave us any reason to care about her; she just accepts it all with very lame attempts at resisting instead of breaking up with him halfway throughout the movie. She does stand up to him at one point but it happened in arguably the most nonsensical way possible. ). Even worse, there isn’t much character development. However, one redeeming factor is that it’s still slightly better than the lousy book which only won 2 UK National Book Awards for Popular Fiction and Book of the Year solely for popularity. The movie’s so bad that it doesn’t look like it’ll stand a chance at any awards except for the Razzies (which are the opposite of the Oscars as they “award” the worst in film) and it has a strong chance at Worst Picture. There isn’t much to enjoy in the movie unless you’re either a masochist or into this kind of movie for some reason. The AugusTiniAn Mirror [43]

C aĂąet e

w i n

Heights Afraid of being way up high

a r t wo r k

Crowds Panic in throngs of people.

j u st i ne

Critters Fear of insects, snakes, or birds

10 1

Hospital Can barely set foot in the door

Tight spaces Hate tunnels, caves, and elevators

Bad weather Fear of thunderstorms or lightning

Flying Scared of airplane trips

Blood Freak over the red stuff

Dentist Would never go to have his teeth checked

Water Canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t stand being in open water

A phobia is a type of anxiety disorder. It is a strong, irrational fear of something that poses little or no real danger. SOURCE: National Institutes of Health (2014)

Be the flame.

Set the world

ablaze. p h oto

M a ry

J o h syen

E .

Pa ba l i nas

When you catch a glimpse of your potential, thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s when passion is born. - Zig Ziglar